EDA Meeting Date: March 24, 2025
To: Members of the Economic Development Authority
From: Melissa Hanson, Housing Coordinator
Jake Reilly, Community Development Director
Risi Karim, Assistant to the City Administrator
Mike Morehouse, Building Official
Title
Presentation on Proposed Rental Ordinance Changes and Motion of Support
Body
Action Requested:
The EDA is being asked to make a motion of support for the attached ordinance changes.
Summary Report:
The EDA will receive a summary presentation on proposed changes. While a recommendation from the EDA is not required, it would be appreciated. The timeline to adoption includes presenting to those boards and commissions with a shared interest in community planning and business development. Recommendations will be shared with the Council. The City of Northfield continues to be a growing community and, much like the rest of the country, the City is seeing an increased demand for all types of rental housing and a limited supply of housing of all types.
Background:
To ensure safe and healthy housing for all, the City initiated review of the City's rental housing licensing program in 2019, which evolved to include amending other related ordinances, including strengthening of the city's nuisance codes and enforcement tools. Those amendments were considered by the HRA in March 2022 and adopted in April 2022 in Ordinance No. 1031. To develop the ordinance, staff worked with consultants from WSB and city attorneys from Flaherty & Hood, P.A. to:
* Assess the weaknesses and strengths of the current rental housing licensing program.
* Identify goals for the new version of the program.
* Review successful programs in other cities.
* Revise the City Code to accomplish the changes.
* Develop supporting documentation for the program.
During this assessment and revision process, the group identified a lack of flexible enforcement tools as one of the significant weaknesses of the current program. In response, the...
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