Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.f. Support for Housing and Local Decision-Making Authority EXECUTIVE SUMMARY City Council Regular Meeting: February 15, 2022 AGENDA SECTION: AGENDA ITEM: Support for Housing and Local Decision- Making Authority Consent PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator AGENDA NO.: 6.f. ATTACHMENTS: Draft Resolution APPROVED BY: LJM RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to approve a Resolution supporting housing and local decision-making authority by local elected officials. BACKGROUND The Municipal Legislative Commission (MLC), one of the City’s legislative partners, has established its main priority this year regarding protecting the ability for local control in zoning and housing related matters. Each year at the Legislature there continues to be a discussion on the need for affordable, workforce housing throughout the Twin Cities region to respond to the changing labor landscape. Unfortunately, some groups have shined a spotlight on City fees and zoning requirements as a reason for the ever-increasing cost of housing. MLC continues to reiterate the value added by City fees (safety, sound home construction standards, road networks, park systems, etc.) as well as the innovative ways that cities have changed their codes and policies to support housing diversity. Rosemount has consistently changed lot sizes, allowed for Planned Unit Developments to support flexibility, and partnered with housing agencies to provide housing to reflect the changing demographics, labor force, and economics of the market. The attached proposed resolution indicates the City’s support of local authority in establishing such standards. Local elected officials are uniquely positioned to make decisions that affect their communities, and they are directly accountable to local voters. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the Resolution supporting housing and local decision-making authority by local elected officials. CITY OF ROSEMOUNT DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2022 - 16 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING HOUSING AND LOCAL DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY WHEREAS, local elected decision-makers are in the best position to determine the health, safety, and welfare regulations that best serve the unique needs of their constituents; and WHEREAS, zoning regulation is an important planning tool that benefits communities economically and socially, improves health and wellness, and helps conserve the environment; and WHEREAS, local zoning regulation allows communities to plan for the use of land transparently, involving residents through public engagement; and WHEREAS, cities across the state are keenly aware of the distinct housing challenges facing their communities and they target those local housing challenges with available tools; and WHEREAS, multiple bills restricting local decision-making related to housing have been introduced in the 2021-2022 biennium. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMOUNT that this Council supports local decision-making authority and opposes legislation that restricts the ability for local elected officials to respond to the needs of their communities. LET IT ALSO BE RESOLVED that this Council supports housing policy that advances solutions to support full housing spectrum solutions, local innovation, incentives instead of mandates, and community-specific solutions throughout Minnesota. th ADOPTED this 15 day of February, 2022, by the City Council of the City of Rosemount. William H. Droste, Mayor ATTEST: Jessie Paque, Deputy City Clerk