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Planning staff outlines urban renewal tools, blight study and proposed ADU rule changes
Summary
Planning staff briefed the Historic Preservation Board on tax increment financing returns from a 101-unit downtown project, a planned citywide 'light designation' to allow limited urban renewal tools, and a proposal to remove owner-occupancy requirements for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Planning staff told the board the Stencil multifamily project (about 101 units) is beginning to generate tax-increment revenue and that the Urban Renewal Authority plans a citywide light designation "to open the toolbox" for urban renewal projects in targeted areas.
"To declare an area of blight, you only need to identify 1 of those findings under state statute," staff said, describing the technical criteria and stressing that declaring blight is a procedural step that must be followed by plan-and-project proposals demonstrating public benefit. Members raised concerns about past urban-renewal-led demolitions and urged preservation safeguards.
Staff also described a proposed change to accessory dwelling unit rules that would remove the owner-occupancy requirement, allowing two-unit configurations on single-family lots if building- and life-safety code requirements are met. Board members asked for additional materials and links to the urban renewal materials as the light designation moves to committee next month.
