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on the California piece was the orientation of the spine road. He explained the thumb piece has <br />a broader depth which would assist in accommodating commercial industrial uses. He stated he <br />believed the development would benefit by shrinking the amount of flex space. He commented <br />the biggest change he was seeing in the commercial market over the past seven years was with <br />the corporate campus market. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monson requested comment on how adding density and traffic along the spine <br />road would impact the project. Mr. Shaver anticipated the traffic patterns and number of trips <br />would be downgraded by shifting to residential and away from commercial. <br /> <br />Commissioner Fabel asked what the traffic implications were for adding another 500 units to <br />the development. Mr. Lux did not believe there would be any traffic implications because traffic <br />would be widely disbursed due to the diversity of housing on the site. <br /> <br />Chair Wicklund requested the conversation now focus on affordability. <br /> <br />Commissioner Frethem questioned if any of the planned apartments would be condos with <br />opportunities for ownership. Mr. Lux stated a condo building was originally programmed for <br />the Town Center, but explained condos were required to be built out of concrete, which was <br />quite expensive. He noted a senior housing cooperative with 80 to 120 units was now being <br />proposed in the Town Center and these units would be owner occupied. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monson requested staff bring her information on the loss from ownership to <br />rental given the density change. She asked that the developers consider how to address this <br />loss. Mr. Lux commented on how there was a market for both owner occupied and for rent <br />units at this time. <br /> <br />Director Collins commented further on the affordability expectations for this development. She <br />stated the County would like to see 10% of the ownership units are built to accommodate a <br />downpayment assistance program and 20% of rental would be developed at 60% AMI or below. <br />She reported the County would be a partner that would be investing in the affordability. <br /> <br />Director Perrault asked if Alatus believed 20% of the rental units could be affordable. Mr. Lux <br />stated this was part of his plan for the project going forward. <br /> <br />Commissioner Monson inquired how Alatus would balance the type of units to ensure units <br />were not sitting vacant. Mr. Lux explained the affordable units would be full. He anticipated the <br />market rate units would also be full. He discussed how typical developments were assisted by <br />TIF which allowed him to build with attractive amenities for five or eight years out. He stated <br />this would be the challenge for this project, to build something that was forward thinking and <br />not just for today. He indicated he was supportive of the affordability requirements, but <br />wanted the numbers to work on the project to ensure it turns out really great. <br />