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PC Work Session Minutes <br />Lynn Miranda indicated that there has not been much talk about housing affordability. <br />There is a lot of affordable housing in the City already, and the direction has been to <br />explore all kinds of housing in the Southcenter area. <br />Commissioner Maestas expressed concern that as the Southcenter area develops, it <br />could become too expensive for the majority of people who live in the area. There <br />might be a lack of walkability for people who work there. <br />Commissioner McLeod questioned the viability of area workers being able to buy <br />condos since most of Southcenter jobs are retail and perhaps part time. <br />Nora mentioned that staff had thought about reconsidering zoning regulations to <br />handle topics like the large Circuit City redevelopment, and said that zoning might be a <br />way to address affordable housing. Since incentives for such things as frontal <br />improvements, etc. are now built into the code, an additional incentive could be an <br />affordable housing provision. If desired, perhaps staff could provide some options for <br />affordable housing incentives. <br />Commissioner McLeod asked about the difference between affordable and low- income <br />housing. <br />Nora explained that these types of housing are usually based on a percentage of area <br />median income, and might provide different tax credits. <br />Lynn said that affordable housing would be discussed next year in the Housing <br />element, which the Planning Commission will review next year. <br />Commissioner Maestas encouraged staff to develop the option of zoning incentives for <br />affordable housing and for development including some affordable housing. He would <br />like a discussion of affordable housing around Southcenter, and cautioned that <br />affordable housing can decrease around light rail stations as economy improves. <br />Nora said that the Growing Transit Communities project is looking at growth around <br />light rail and rapid transit from Tacoma to Lynnwood, and considering issues such as <br />how equitable transit - oriented development can be built so that benefits of transit are <br />shared. The Growing Transit Communities work will ultimately result in jurisdictions <br />being asked to make commitments toward affordable housing and economic <br />development. Planning Commission concerns over affordable housing are very timely. <br />Commissioner Hunter expressed her long -term concern for affordable housing. She <br />also requested options for implementing different rates of affordable housing, and <br />indicated her desire to see and study alternatives. <br />Nora said that staff would provide a link to the Growing Transit Communities Strategy <br />report from the PSRC website. The website contains evaluation of conditions of <br />3 <br />Rf Z: \DCD \PC minutes- -5.21 & 5.23\5-2 1 -13- -Work Session Minutes.doc 6/20/2013 <br />