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Committee advances CRA exemption and directs three administrative reports on small-business ownership and housing on city facilities
Summary
The Housing & Growth Committee advanced an ordinance amendment to remove a LEED-certification obligation for a 13-unit West End property and approved motions requesting reports on (1) a small-business building-ownership program and (2) opportunities to build income-restricted housing on top of city facilities, with the committee noting an allocated $500,000 for an initial build phase.
The Housing & Growth Committee advanced a set of consent and committee business items after the Experience Mill Creek presentation. Members moved three items forward without recorded objection in committee: an administration ordinance to amend a CRA tax-exemption agreement (item 2) and two council motions requesting reports (items 3 and 4).
Ordinance amendment (item 2): Chair Jeff Jeffries described an administration proposal to remove a requirement that the developer obtain LEED certification for a 13-unit property in the West End because the costs and practicalities of achieving formal LEED certification on an existing building made the requirement impracticable. Director Carter confirmed the developer is still incorporating sustainable features in a roughly $1.5 million renovation but that formal LEED certification “became impractical.” The committee put the ordinance on for passage without objection.
Motion B — 'Buy the building' report (item 4/B): The vice mayor presented a motion asking the administration to study a city-run program modeled on a county SBA 504-type small-business loan to allow business tenants to buy mixed-use buildings they currently lease. The county program excludes mixed-use properties; the motion asks for a feasibility report and recommended loan mechanics so small businesses can build equity and stabilize occupancy. Committee members agreed to move the motion forward without recorded objection.
Motion — 'Housing Where We Serve' (item 3): Councilmembers Owens, Nolan, Albee and James cosponsored a motion directing the administration to identify city capital projects and facilities (firehouses, rec centers, police stations) where housing can be added above public buildings. The motion asks for a report within 90 days to identify opportunities for income-restricted units (the chair suggested considering units under 60% AMI). Councilmembers welcomed the creative use of city property and put the motion on for passage without objection.
The committee noted the project-level funding context referenced earlier in the meeting, including prior allocations for Experience Mill Creek. No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the transcript; the minutes record these items as moved forward in committee for passage or further administrative action.
