Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County planner: 12 housing needs assessments under way for Story County communities
Summary
MEPA staff told supervisors they are preparing 12 housing needs assessments for Story County communities, citing low vacancy rates, generally good housing condition, and recommendations to update zoning codes to encourage diverse housing options; final drafts are due by May 1.
Lucas Young of MEPA updated the Story County Board of Supervisors on April 21 about a countywide effort to prepare 12 housing needs assessments.
"MEPA staff continues to meet with the housing action plan working group," Young said, adding that drafts have been prepared in phases and will be distributed to individual communities for review. The assessments cover Slater and Sheldahl (joint), Cambridge, Kelley, Colo, McCallsburg, Zearing, Story City, Roland, Gilbert, Collins, Maxwell and the county’s unincorporated areas. Young said Nevada and Huxley were not included because those communities completed assessments recently.
Young summarized consistent themes across drafts: existing housing is generally in good condition; vacancy rates are low in many communities, indicating a need for additional housing units; and local zoning codes could be updated to encourage development and more diverse housing types, including modern definitions of manufactured and modular homes. He said the assessments will examine demographics, workforce needs, school enrollment, existing housing stock, demand, affordability, and recommendations to supplement the county’s 2021 housing study.
Young told the board that six drafts have been prepared for county staff review, three more will be done this week, and the final three will be completed by May 1, after which the reports will be shared with the affected communities and returned to the board as updates.
