In a move sure to stir up the local property scene, Arapahoe County has laid out new rules aimed squarely at nudging developers to build more affordable housing. County commissioners, during a public meeting on September 9, gave the green light for measures that include a couple of fresh zoning districts and the nod for modular homes within the housing code.
Commissioner Rhonda Fields was quoted as saying, "We have a plan for affordable housing that is very progressive," as per Arapahoe County. That plan involves the addition of Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use zones, designed to boost the construction of multifamily dwellings close to transit hubs and shopping areas. To qualify for the new Multi-Family zoning, developers will have to plan to construct between 13 and 35 housing units per acre on parcels near key roadways and transit services.
The Mixed-Use zone goes even further, demanding at least 35 housing units per acre. This district encourages a blend of residential and commercial spaces, including apartments atop stores or offices. High rises in this zone can stretch upward to 75 feet, but only if the property is within a half-mile radius of a public transit stop. Moving away from one-size-fits-all codes, the county is also slashing parking requirements for mobile home parks and removing them entirely for certain multifamily and adaptive reuse projects.
These amendments come with incentives, structured in three tiers, to attract projects that align with federal tax credits or that strike a deal with the county to keep housing affordable over the long term. The bigger the slice of affordable units in a developer's pie, the sweeter the incentive. With this, Arapahoe County is looking to quickly accelerate building in key areas, as obtained by Arapahoe County.
