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Orem development tracker

General plan moderate income housing update (HB 462)

Amendment of Chapter 4 (Housing) of the general plan adopting state moderate income housing strategies; a fifth strategy on impact fees was added Jan. 24, 2023 to answer a state non-compliance letter.

Where it stands
Approved
Type
Area or general plan
Location
Citywide
Applicant
City of Orem

Every hearing and vote

  1. August 23, 2022 · City Council

    General plan housing element update to comply with state law (HB 462)

    Discussed

    Planning Division Manager Jason Bench said state law requires Orem to amend the moderate income housing element of its general plan and file its annual report by Oct. 1, 2022, including an implementation plan. The city proposes amending Chapter 4 (Housing) to adopt at least four of the state's 24 strategies and updating the housing gap analysis. Mayor Young asked about strategies for older neighborhoods in disrepair. Proposed dates: Planning Commission discussion Sept. 7, council discussion Sept. 13, Planning Commission hearing Sept. 21 and council hearing Sept. 27.

    • State deadline: October 1, 2022

  2. September 13, 2022 · City Council

    Revised housing element of the general plan (Chapter 4) (work session)

    Discussed

    Planning Division Manager Jason Bench presented the final draft of amendments to Chapter 4 (Housing), which adopts four state moderate income housing strategies: accessory apartments, an affordable senior housing overlay, a housing and transit reinvestment zone, and station area plans. Council Member Debby Lauret asked about the overlay's location, and Mr. Bench said it would be a 60-and-older community. The item goes to the Planning Commission on Sept. 15 and the council on Sept. 27.

    • Strategies: accessory apartments (E), affordable senior housing overlay (X), housing and transit reinvestment zone (Q), station area plans (V)

  3. September 27, 2022 · City Council

    General plan Chapter 4 (Housing) amendment with four moderate income housing strategies

    Approved · 6-0

    The council amended Chapter 4 of the general plan, updating demographics with 2020 Census data and existing conditions, and adopted four state moderate income housing strategies. These are accessory dwelling units (722 legal units now, about 26 more expected next year), the Affordable Senior Housing overlay (up to four units per parcel for tenants over 60 at or below 80 percent of area median income), a housing and transit reinvestment zone, and station area plans for the FrontRunner station and the Lakeview, Main Street and University Place bus rapid transit stations. Staff said a developer has approached the city about a housing and transit reinvestment zone, with a 6-to-8-month study to follow. Council Member LaNae Millett asked where owner-occupied housing was added; staff said owner-occupied twin homes are encouraged in the station area plans. No one spoke at the hearing.

    • Strategies: E (accessory units), X (affordable senior overlay), Q (housing and transit reinvestment zone), V (station area plans)
    • Public hearing 6:54 p.m.

    Moved by Council Member Jeff Lambson, seconded by Council Member Debby Lauret. Vote: 6-0 among council members; the mayor also voted yes

  4. December 13, 2022 · City Council

    Moderate income housing strategies update (work session)

    Discussed

    Staff said 66 cities received state letters of non-compliance. Orem must correct state code language, adopt a fifth strategy and correct implementation plans within a 90-day period ending Feb. 16, 2023, adopting changes at the Jan. 24 council meeting. The proposed fifth strategy (L) is reducing, waiving or eliminating impact fees for moderate income housing; the plan notes Orem eliminated impact fees for internal accessory dwelling units in 2022 and will study fee relief for the Affordable Senior Housing overlay in 2023.

    • Compliance deadline: Feb. 16, 2023
    • Schedule: possible work session Jan. 10; Planning Commission hearing Jan. 18; council hearing Jan. 24

  5. January 24, 2023 · City Council

    General plan Chapter 4 (Housing) amendment on moderate income housing strategies

    Approved · 6-0

    The council amended Section 4.4.2 of the housing chapter on moderate income housing strategies. As previewed Dec. 13, the changes respond to a state letter of non-compliance and add a fifth strategy, reducing, waiving or eliminating impact fees related to moderate income housing, with an implementation plan, with a Feb. 16, 2023 compliance deadline.

    • Fifth strategy: (L) reduce, waive or eliminate impact fees for moderate income housing

    Moved by Council Member Debby Lauret, seconded by Council Member LaNae Millett. Vote: 6-0 among council members; the mayor also voted yes