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Section 7.8 Implementation Strategies of the adopted comprehensive plan considers the following opportunities, some of which are underway or complete: • Review City codes to consider and encourage a range of housing opportunities and innovative site design. • The City will pursue grants or other funding opportunities that help reduce the development and construction costs of affordable housing. • Implement the adopted rental regulations to ensure the safety, functionality and maintenance of rental properties. • The City will explore programs that assist in the maintenance of existing manufactured homes. • The City will continue to monitor housing maintenance in neighborhoods and identify tools, if needed, to assist residents with improvements. • Ensure safety, livability and durability of the housing stock through enforcement of the Minnesota State Building Code, which includes educating property owners and residents on housing and property maintenance codes. • Work with owners of existing naturally occurring affordable housing properties to preserve and maintain quality, affordable housing throughout the city. • Implement adopted standards to protect lakes, wetlands, trees, and other open spaces during redevelopments and infill projects. • Recognize existing residential development patterns and neighborhood character when considering infill and redevelopment projects that are near or adjacent to established neighborhoods. • Identify programs, policies, and strategies that encourage aging in community for senior citizens. Discussion Available tools: Zoning code reforms Many communities around the country and in the Twin Cities region have attempted to address the housing shortage and rising cost to live here in many ways. One primary mechanism for making housing easier and therefore less costly to build is by implementing zoning code reforms. Arden Hills is in the process of updating the zoning ordinance. Desired outcomes include reducing regulatory barriers, streamlining zoning districts, and making the code easier to navigate for residents, business owners, and developers alike. Other zoning code -related approaches include eliminating single -family -only residential districts, removing or reducing minimum parking requirements, establishing maximum parking limits, and/or reducing the number of zoning districts. Eliminating single -family -only residential districts does not mean eliminating the ability to build one home per lot, rather it means allowing more units by right on a standard residential lot. Both Minneapolis and Saint Paul have eliminated single-family residential zoning districts that require one single-family home structure per lot and instead allow up to six units by right. According to research by the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, Minneapolis' approach has had a direct effect on both generating a supply of homes as well as keeping the cost of homes low. Saint Paul's new zoning districts have only been in place for two years and the result has not been evaluated. Page 4 of 9