Council considers written agreement with housing authority tied to proposed rezone

City staff told council members at the Feb. 3 work session that they circulated motion language that would let the council approve a zoning change while directing staff to negotiate a written agreement with the Old Town Housing Authority (OHA) to address several neighborhood safety items.

Planner/administrator staff (Speaker 3) said a conditional approval with a subsequent agreement would create accountability "otherwise, once you approve the zoning, then there's really no accountability structure." The motion language circulated by email proposes a two-step approach: amend the ordinance, then take a roll-call vote on the amended motion so council and the public know what was agreed.

Council member Lopez (identified in the transcript) and neighborhood speakers urged a written, mandatory agreement rather than relying on good faith. Lopez said she "would love it if you can support, make an agreement between the Old Town Housing Authority and in writing," citing concern that relying on informal assurances would leave neighborhoods without recourse.

Council members and staff answered specific operational questions: background checks and participation in the city's Good Landlord program were discussed as possible elements of a written agreement. A neighborhood speaker said two nearby rentals participate in the Good Landlord program and asked staff to identify program participation for surrounding blocks in writing.

Staff noted council could choose to approve a clean rezone without any additional direction and leave enforcement or subsequent agreements to administration. No formal motion was taken during the work session; the item and potential motion language were scheduled for the subsequent business meeting where the rezone will be noticed.