The City Council is set to reassess its density bonus programs, particularly DB90, which was designed to promote affordable housing. The resolution, introduced by Mayor Kirk Watson, aims to explore structural changes that offer developers greater entitlements in exchange for specific community benefits. Watson has criticized DB90 for failing to meet its goals, while Council Member Marc Duchen has highlighted the program's inadequacies, arguing that its standard affordability requirement does not fit all development scenarios. Proposed amendments seek to better preserve affordability and prevent tenant displacement.
Watson acknowledged last week that DB90 has not worked as intended, describing it in a recent message board post as "an unhappy experience." He said the program has become difficult to use as intended and is increasingly divisive, particularly in cases where existing affordable housing is at risk of being demolished in exchange for new development with limited affordability set-asides.
Council Member Marc Duchen... outlined concerns that DB90 applies a one-size-fits-all affordability requirement that does not reflect the economics of different development types. He argued that the program's flat 10 to 12 percent affordability standard fails to account for the stepped nature of housing markets.
The forthcoming resolution calls for the creation of a range of new density bonus districts with varying entitlements and affordability requirements, giving staff the flexibility to rethink how the city balances height, affordability and development incentives.
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