AUBURN - Single-family homes were the main focus Thursday as city officials discussed and voted on housing.
During its weekly meeting, Auburn City Council tabled legislation related to a proposed moratorium on multi-family units. Councilors also approved a measure that removes building permit requirements for many homes in which the homeowners live.
Both pieces of legislation reflect a desire by councilors and officials to make Auburn a more friendly place for families to purchase and live in property within the city.
“Presently, half the housing units in Auburn are rentals, and that reality begs serious questions,” City Manager Mark Palesh told the councilors while reading a prepared statement related to the proposed moratorium.
If passed, the ban would postpone for 18 months any city approval of zone changes, permits or other legislative acts that would authorize converting a home into or building any new multi-family housing unit.
The 18 months are meant to allow the city time to finish its comprehensive plan, Palesh said. Through the plan, city officials will examine how the city's multi-family housing affects its residents, among other issues, he said
The proposal includes banning the construction or conversion of buildings that will house more than one family, as well as apartments, condominiums, apartment complexes, duplexes, semi-detached homes and conjoined single family homes.
The legislation on the floor Thursday was not to approve the moratorium, but to make the city the lead agency for the State Environmental Quality Review of such a proposal. According to Corporation Counsel John Rossi, the review would determine how the temporary ban would affect the city.
There would still need to be a public hearing, and the city would have to draft a resolution before instituting a ban, Rossi said.
But councilors William Graney and Gilda Brower both voiced concern during the meeting over how it would affect the local economy and pending projects if they passed the resolution.
“I'm not going pass something that is going to cause problems down the road,” Graney said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions.”
The city planning department did answer questions about a new fee schedule for building permits. Council passed a resolution to waive fees for building permits on single-family homes and duplexes that are occupied by the owner.
The waiver does not include new houses, additions, garages, sheds or pools. And while the fee is waived, residents still need to obtain a permit.
Council tabled a similar resolution earlier this month that did not include owner-occupied duplexes, asking they be added to the legislation.
Jennifer Haines, director of city planning and economic development, told council that city staff recommended the first policy, as it would be easier for administrative purposes and encourage more single-family occupancy.
However, she added the city will carry out the new policy.
“The staff is not afraid of additional work,” Haines said.
The new fee schedule, which includes a $25 charge and sometimes additional fees, includes permits for bathroom and kitchen remodels, windows, fences, siding and other projects.
Council removed a numbers of those fees and permits in June in an attempt to encourage residents to make home improvements. However, representatives from the codes and planning department later reported that the lack of regulation has caused an issue with enforcing codes in the city.
In other news:
* Councilors will now be able to pass legislation at every meeting. Council passed a resolution stating that each of its meetings will be designated for city business, and work sessions can also be scheduled on a week-by-week basis. There will also be a session for the general public to be heard at each meeting.
* The city will now be able to finance public utility projects that cost more than $2.5 million. Council passed a resolution in a 4-1 vote eliminating a cap bond cap that was set in 1993.
Councilor Thomas McNabb voted against the measure.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
Both pieces of legislation reflect a desire by councilors and officials to make Auburn a more friendly place for families to purchase and live in property within the city.
“Presently, half the housing units in Auburn are rentals, and that reality begs serious questions,” City Manager Mark Palesh told the councilors while reading a prepared statement related to the proposed moratorium.
If passed, the ban would postpone for 18 months any city approval of zone changes, permits or other legislative acts that would authorize converting a home into or building any new multi-family housing unit.
The 18 months are meant to allow the city time to finish its comprehensive plan, Palesh said. Through the plan, city officials will examine how the city's multi-family housing affects its residents, among other issues, he said
The proposal includes banning the construction or conversion of buildings that will house more than one family, as well as apartments, condominiums, apartment complexes, duplexes, semi-detached homes and conjoined single family homes.
The legislation on the floor Thursday was not to approve the moratorium, but to make the city the lead agency for the State Environmental Quality Review of such a proposal. According to Corporation Counsel John Rossi, the review would determine how the temporary ban would affect the city.
There would still need to be a public hearing, and the city would have to draft a resolution before instituting a ban, Rossi said.
But councilors William Graney and Gilda Brower both voiced concern during the meeting over how it would affect the local economy and pending projects if they passed the resolution.
“I'm not going pass something that is going to cause problems down the road,” Graney said. “There are a lot of unanswered questions.”
The city planning department did answer questions about a new fee schedule for building permits. Council passed a resolution to waive fees for building permits on single-family homes and duplexes that are occupied by the owner.
The waiver does not include new houses, additions, garages, sheds or pools. And while the fee is waived, residents still need to obtain a permit.
Council tabled a similar resolution earlier this month that did not include owner-occupied duplexes, asking they be added to the legislation.
Jennifer Haines, director of city planning and economic development, told council that city staff recommended the first policy, as it would be easier for administrative purposes and encourage more single-family occupancy.
However, she added the city will carry out the new policy.
“The staff is not afraid of additional work,” Haines said.
The new fee schedule, which includes a $25 charge and sometimes additional fees, includes permits for bathroom and kitchen remodels, windows, fences, siding and other projects.
Council removed a numbers of those fees and permits in June in an attempt to encourage residents to make home improvements. However, representatives from the codes and planning department later reported that the lack of regulation has caused an issue with enforcing codes in the city.
In other news:
* Councilors will now be able to pass legislation at every meeting. Council passed a resolution stating that each of its meetings will be designated for city business, and work sessions can also be scheduled on a week-by-week basis. There will also be a session for the general public to be heard at each meeting.
* The city will now be able to finance public utility projects that cost more than $2.5 million. Council passed a resolution in a 4-1 vote eliminating a cap bond cap that was set in 1993.
Councilor Thomas McNabb voted against the measure.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
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