I. RECOMMENDATION:
This was a future agenda item requested by Councilman Adkisson to discuss the possibility of the City establishing a cottage home program similar to that of the City of Clovis in order to revitalize and reinvest in the City of Coalinga’s alley infrastructure.
II. BACKGROUND:
Last summer, City staff went on tour of the City of Clovis’ Cottage Home Program. It is a national award-winning program that offers residents an opportunity to construct one of the three streamlined plans on their property with a rear yard facing an alley. The program was originally created to encourage infill residential development in the Old Town Clovis area, where many properties have access to alleys. Due to its early success, the Cottage Home Program has been made available to qualifying properties citywide.
Three (3) plans, provided FREE of charge, were developed to fit a variety of property configurations. The cottage homes, each less than 500 square feet in size, are intended to face onto alleys to promote revitalization while providing a unique pedestrian street environment and while creating more housing. To date, there are 11 completed cottage homes.
Here is a link to the City of Clovis’ program webpage which include program guidelines as well a great video narrated by the community development director.
LINK: https://cityofclovis.com/planning-and-development/planning/cottage-home-program/
III. DISCUSSION:
If the Council desires to proceed with a program similar to the City of Clovis, staff will prepare a subsequent report to the City Council laying out the process, time and cost associated with completing implementation. Staff anticipates that the program implementation may be able to be funded and sustained through the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Grant Program. This is a six (6) year housing program to address housing issues specifically to accessory/second dwelling units.
IV. ALTERNATIVES:
None - Discussion purposes only
V. FISCAL IMPACT:
None at this time. |