Redmond aims to streamline affordable housing projects
(Update: Councilors raise issues; revised ordinance will return for expected Sept. 11 vote)
The city of Redmond is trying to make it easier for people to get into affordable housing. On Tuesday night, the Redmond City Council held a public hearing on proposed changes to the city’s development code, with an expected vote in two weeks.
If passed by councilors, the changes will make it easier for developers to build affordable housing, officials said.
That would happen in a number of ways, including fast-tracking the residential review process and making it easier and quicker for builders to start building.
Other proposed changes include removing some hurdles to building duplexes, triplexes and townhomes and clarifying where accessory dwelling units can be built.
City Planning Manager Deborah McMahon says the changes will clear some of the hurdles to affordable housing in Redmond.
“Housing is going to be a challenge for all of Central Oregon communities, and we don’t have enough affordable housing or workforce housing,” McMahon said. “And when you have that deficiency, you need to be mindful of things that could get in the way of developing that kind of housing. So that’s what we’re doing now, is going through the code and streamlining it.”
Other proposed changes to the code include barring people from keeping shipping containers in yards and cleaning up confusing language related to indoor gyms.
McMahon said there will be no financial impact on the city from the changes.
City Manager Keith Witcosky said councilors asked for some clarification about whether shipping containers can still be converted and used as homes, and were assured by city planners that they can. He said the council asked for some changes in language in the ordinance and the revised version will return for an expected vote on Sept. 11.
He sad Mayor George Endicott spoke about the importance of making sure quality fencing is built, noting that wood fences tend to deteriorate over time.
Questions also arose about fees in lieu of parking slots and the role councilors will play in setting those fees.
