☐ Consent Agenda ☐Quasi-Judicial Public Hearing
☐ Regular Business 5:30 pm
☒ Public Hearing Other
DEPARTMENT: Planning & Zoning
SUBMITTED BY: Laura McClelland
PRESENTED BY: John Osborne
TITLE & DESCRIPTION:
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Ordinance / Land Development Regulation Amendment updating the criteria for the award for bonus density (LDR-0013-2026)
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REQUESTED MOTION:
A motion to enter into the record this development review report and make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to adopt/deny the proposed ordinance.
SUMMARY:
A Comprehensive Plan text amendment to the Future Land Use Element is simultaneously tracking with an LDR amendment to allow for consideration of increased densities through a bonus density process for Affordable and Workforce Housing developments. The staff report for the Comprehensive Plan amendment that is being processed simultaneously includes an overview of housing affordability issues and analyzes the recommended changes to facilitate affordable and workforce housing in limited portions of unincorporated DeSoto County. The LDR amendment is subject to approval of the Comprehensive Plan amendment and the LDR amendment analysis is written assuming it has been approved. Should the Comprehensive Plan amendment be denied, the LDR amendment cannot move forward.
BACKGROUND:
Per the Comprehensive Plan, providing opportunities for additional residential density limited to specific areas of the county can be helpful in realizing more affordable and workforce housing for the county and its employers. The Comprehensive Plan directs the application of bonus density criteria to the LDRs. The proposed language is detailed herein and generally includes the following:
• Consistent with existing Bonus Density criteria in Comprehensive Plan Policy 1.1.4; and
• Within Urban Center Mixed Use or Neighborhood Mixed Use Future Land Use category; and
• Affordable and Workforce residential projects shall be substantially located within a 1,000-foot radius of a public school or major employer; and
• Establishes minimum percentages for workforce and affordable housing units to achieve bonuses; and
• Requires connection to County or City potable water and sanitary sewer; and
• Requires a Land Use Restriction Agreement guaranteeing affordable / workforce designation for a minimum of 30 years is approved by the Board of County Commissioners.