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Affordable housing plan OK'd By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings City leaders now have a plan to address affordable housing issues in Ashland. The Ashland City Council on Tuesday adopted the City of Ashland Affordable Housing Action Plan and Housing Needs Analysis. "The city is developing, infilling daily," housing advocate Jennifer Henderson said. "Adopting (the plan) puts in writing this city's resolve to make some of that development affordable." The document was adopted along with an affordable housing needs analysis which quantifies how a number of Ashland problems are linked to a lack of affordable housing. The plan recommends the creation of a housing trust fund, reductions in development and operating costs for affordable housing developments, the adoption of land-use regulations to promote affordable housing, hiring a housing specialist and the preservation and creation of affordable housing. The plan passed unanimously, but councilor Chris Hearn expressed concern that pushing too aggressively for affordable housing could result in a reduction in residents' quality of life, especially if land-use laws are relaxed and excess growth occurs in the name of inexpensive home creation. "I'm clearly in favor of affordable housing, and I want to adopt this plan, but we want to do it in a way that promotes both goals (affordability and livability)," Hearn said. Hearn also wanted it made clear that some ideas in the plan - such as using taxes on real estate transfers, hotels or food and beverages to fund housing efforts - are only suggestions. Councilors Kate Jackson, Cate Hartzell and John Morrison thanked Hearn for his input while pointing out that the plan is a collection of suggestions, not requirements. "I feel confident your reservations are being addressed," Hartzell said. The housing plan and the needs analysis are available on the city Web site at www.ashland.or.us. In other business Tuesday, the council: approved a resolution setting a Local Improvement District for Tolman Creek Road; approved a resolution adopting a new fee schedule for the city's building division mechanical and plumbing inspection programs; gave authorization to declare the belt press equipment at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as surplus and offer it for sale at an offering price of $75,000; approved a resolution transferring appropriations in the 2002-03 budget; approved termination of an easement at 118 Nevada Street; and, approved meeting minutes of boards, commissions and committees. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -