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Two‑year report: affordable housing incentives used in 32 applications, staff flag restrictive‑covenant delays
Summary
Staff reported 32 applications to use the Affordable Housing Incentives (AHI) with about 1,300 dwellings represented and roughly 975 affordable units counted in packet calculations; staff said restrictive covenants and negotiation over covenant wording have produced the longest processing delays and recommended code clarifications to speed recording and compliance.
City staff presented a two‑year implementation report on the Affordable Housing Incentives (AHI) program. Planning Director Nick Norris said the program has produced 32 applications to use incentives since it went into effect, with 13 withdrawn, and projects totaling roughly 1,300 dwellings and nearly 975 dwellings listed as affordable in staff calculations. Staff said applicants have principally used incentives that allow additional building stories, reduced parking, and staff‑level modifications to create more affordable units and that many applicants proceed to building permits once preliminary approvals are granted.
Norris emphasized the restrictive covenant recorded on properties is the program's central enforcement tool but also the main time sink: drafting, reconciling lender requirements and recording the covenant requires substantial attorney time and often prompts applicants to request edits. Staff recommended clarifications to code and covenant language to reduce negotiation and speed approvals; council members asked for a follow‑up report in roughly two years to assess outcomes after more projects complete construction.
