§ 2.7. Housing Goals and Objectives

Community goals are broad, value-based statements expressing public preferences for the long term (20 years or more). They specifically address key issues, opportunities, and problems that affect the community.

Objectives are more specific than goals and are measurable statements usually attainable through direct action and implementation of plan recommendations. The accomplishment of objectives contributes to fulfillment of the goal.

Goal 1: Provide for an adequate housing supply that will meet the needs of future residents and provide a range of housing choices including all income levels, age groups and special housing needs while maintaining the current housing stock and city vision.

Objectives

1. Increase the availability of low to moderate income housing that is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan.

2. Increase availability of quality moderate cost starter homes consistent with locations identified in the city's comprehensive plan.

3. Increase the availability and accessibility of assisted living and elderly care facilities while continually monitoring the housing needs of the aging population.

4. Avoid public actions which would not allow persons of lower income levels, ethnic origin, creed, age groups, or special needs to reside in the city.

5. Pursue the availability of state or federal housing funding for the development or redevelopment of low to moderate income quality housing.

6. Improve public education on available funding or assistance sources that will allow LMI residents and elderly residents to make accessibility or other improvements to their homes for special needs.

7. Encourage future residential development onto existing vacant lots over the creation of new residential lots. (Promote in-fill)

8. Ensure the utilization of building codes for new housing construction and rehabilitation.

9. Increase coordination with the county housing authority and other agencies in monitoring and creating solutions to the housing affordability issue.

10. Ensure an adequate supply of land is planned and zoned for multi-family housing and for development at higher densities to meet forecasted demand.

11. Prepare an inventory of potential in-fill development areas.

Goal 2: Provide for housing development that maintains the characteristics of the city.

Objectives

1. Encourage and support multi-family, group housing, and other high density residential development within existing similar neighborhoods with established urban services.

2. Direct development to areas currently served by existing roads, public utilities, parks or other services.

3. Discourage residential development in areas where primary agricultural activities or open spaces are present.

4. Direct residential development to planned growth areas.

5. Retain single family residences as the preferred type of housing supply in the city.

6. Utilize various programs and concepts that can encourage creative ways to preserve city character and natural resources.

7. Support developers who want to develop other forms of housing, such as duplexes or small apartment buildings, as long as they are congruent with the overall city vision and needs for the future.

8. Encourage energy efficient construction and construction that takes into account the placement of the home in relation to its surrounding environment (i.e. orientation to the sun).

Goal 3: Maintain or rehabilitate the city's existing housing stock.

Objectives

1. Increase maintenance and rehabilitation efforts for the existing housing stock.

2. Increase citizen education about unsafe or unsanitary housing conditions including lead paint, carbon monoxide emissions, radon, exposed heat pipes, broken or missing smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers.

3. Maintain an inventory of historically significant homes and allow for maintenance and support rehabilitation that will encourage their existence.

4. Pursue development and redevelopment efforts which serve to enhance the character of the city.