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Johnstown reads proposed PD district amendment that would create a procedural path for a housing‑bank mechanism
Summary
Council held a first reading on amendments that would create a procedural framework for a 'housing bank' to hold and transfer multifamily unit entitlements; the ordinance does not itself establish a bank, and council asked staff for conversion formulas, unit counts and school‑impact analysis before a July vote.
At first reading council discussed proposed changes to the PD (planned development) district zoning that would establish a process under which the city and planning commission could, at a later date, authorize a "housing bank" to hold or transfer multifamily unit entitlements.
Presenters emphasized the ordinance is procedural and does not itself create or place housing units: it would allow planning and council to negotiate placement, conversion rates (for example, how many multifamily units equate to a single‑family home for school‑impact purposes), potential fees tied to transfers, caps on banked units and a shelf life for any banked entitlement so future councils could revisit decisions. "This is not creating a bank," a presenter said; the ordinance would set a legal process to allow that option when an actual project is proposed.
Council members pressed for clarity on current total unit counts in the PD district (several members requested the exact number beyond the historic 1,200 figure), how annexations affect the total, how conversion rates would be calculated with the school district, and whether fees or caps should be established. Staff agreed to bring specific numbers and proposed conversion mechanisms back to council and to coordinate with the school board or a liaison committee so the district's enrollment impacts can be evaluated before any conversion or transfer is approved.
No final vote occurred; the ordinance will return to council after staff completes the requested analyses and drafts any redlined language recommended by planning commission.
