City briefed on business‑district to mixed‑use transition and told Ridge parking variance will require quasi‑judicial hearing

Community Development Director Donna Ferguson (speaker S5) updated the Planning Commission on work to create an affordable‑housing overlay and to transition a 130‑acre legacy business district toward a mixed‑use designation that would permit multifamily housing as a permitted use rather than by special review. She said the district contains 52 properties (28 developed commercial lots, 13 vacant lots and several drainage tracts) and that staff will conduct outreach including a virtual meeting on May 1 and a joint meeting with council on May 6.

Ferguson said the city acquired a grant to study an affordable‑housing overlay and a fast‑track process, and noted the Canyons plan development carries an obligation for 75 attainable housing units down the line. She emphasized that the city will coordinate with the Douglas County Housing Partnership and that jurisdictions can share development credit under the countywide intergovernmental agreement tied to Proposition 123 funding.

Ferguson also reminded commissioners that a parking‑variance application for the Ridge Golf Course has been accepted and is quasi‑judicial in nature, advising commissioners not to discuss the application outside of the formal hearing because off‑record conversations could create conflicts or require recusal.

Quotes: “We have a project called our affordable‑housing overlay and fast‑track process,” Donna Ferguson said. “You will be hearing more about this project in a combined meeting with the city council.”

Next steps: staff will hold a virtual session May 1 to discuss boundaries and uses, circulate supporting materials for commissioners to review, and convene a joint meeting May 6 to present outreach findings and the consultant’s recommendations. The Ridge Golf Course parking variance will be scheduled for a public/quasi‑judicial hearing and must be handled through the formal public hearing process.