Council appoints 15-member housing affordability code task force
August 06, 2025 | Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado
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The Grand Junction City Council adopted a resolution on Aug. 6 appointing 15 individuals to a Housing Affordability Code Task Force charged with recommending code changes to support housing affordability.
Why it matters: Local building codes, development standards and zoning can affect housing costs and the pace at which new units are produced. The task force — intended to be industry-led and staff-supported — is designed to research and recommend changes to city code that could increase attainable and affordable housing supply.
Who was appointed: Council adopted Resolution 47 25 appointing the top 15 applicants ranked by council: Kevin Bray, Ron Avila, Jane Quimby, Emily Powell, Keith Ehlers, Mark Austin, Sandra Wegherley (Planning Commissioner), Kim Kirk, Kelly Maves, Ivan Geer, John Garcik, Christy Rees, Michael Foster, Dylan Foster and Charlie Gechter. The motion passed 6–0.
Staff role and next steps: City Manager Mike Bennett said the task force will be industry-led with city staff support; Deputy City Manager Kimberly Bollin will be the staff point person. Bennett said he will attend meetings when possible and that the group should identify its own chair, vice chair and meeting structure. Staff will coordinate agendas and bring in appropriate departments for topic-specific briefings. Council members emphasized that the city’s wider housing work should continue in parallel with the task force’s work.
Context: The task force was created after a June 30 workshop in which council directed staff to assemble a group of practitioners and stakeholders to explore code changes. The council’s motion appointed the top-ranked candidates from the applicant pool rather than opening additional nominations at the meeting.
Outcome: Motion to adopt the resolution and appoint the listed members passed 6–0; staff will contact appointees and schedule the task force’s first meeting.
Why it matters: Local building codes, development standards and zoning can affect housing costs and the pace at which new units are produced. The task force — intended to be industry-led and staff-supported — is designed to research and recommend changes to city code that could increase attainable and affordable housing supply.
Who was appointed: Council adopted Resolution 47 25 appointing the top 15 applicants ranked by council: Kevin Bray, Ron Avila, Jane Quimby, Emily Powell, Keith Ehlers, Mark Austin, Sandra Wegherley (Planning Commissioner), Kim Kirk, Kelly Maves, Ivan Geer, John Garcik, Christy Rees, Michael Foster, Dylan Foster and Charlie Gechter. The motion passed 6–0.
Staff role and next steps: City Manager Mike Bennett said the task force will be industry-led with city staff support; Deputy City Manager Kimberly Bollin will be the staff point person. Bennett said he will attend meetings when possible and that the group should identify its own chair, vice chair and meeting structure. Staff will coordinate agendas and bring in appropriate departments for topic-specific briefings. Council members emphasized that the city’s wider housing work should continue in parallel with the task force’s work.
Context: The task force was created after a June 30 workshop in which council directed staff to assemble a group of practitioners and stakeholders to explore code changes. The council’s motion appointed the top-ranked candidates from the applicant pool rather than opening additional nominations at the meeting.
Outcome: Motion to adopt the resolution and appoint the listed members passed 6–0; staff will contact appointees and schedule the task force’s first meeting.
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