Draft plan calls for middle housing and life‑stage housing; commissioners ask about aging population guidance

The draft land-use element promotes residential variety and new policies to encourage middle housing and mixed-use opportunities. Stickney highlighted LU3 policies and said "we want to encourage higher residential densities, especially near the CBD" and that LU3d is a new policy to specifically address middle‑housing requirements under "House Bill 11 10" (as read in the meeting).

A commissioner asked if the draft will incorporate guidance for an aging population and Stickney said she is aware of AARP guidance and welcomed any resources the commission wants staff to consider; she noted that life‑stage housing will be a central topic in the housing element. Commissioners discussed tools such as density bonuses, PUDs and co‑living options as mechanisms to meet diverse housing needs.