Developer MHT Housing Inc. sought to dedicate most of the 200 units as affordable housing, but Brush Park residents were not on board due to a recent uptick in vehicle vandalism in the area, and asked for market-rate options. The resolution approved by City Council on Tuesday calls for the four residential developments to contain a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, one of which will provide housing for those who have aged out of foster care, along with a renovated indoor recreation facility.
Tuesday's meeting stretched through the evening, primarily due to a long line of public commenters who urged officials to call for a cease-fire in Gaza after violence broke out on Oct. 7 between Israel and Hamas. City Council weighed a resolution for weeks, calling for various changes in language, and passed it in a 7-2 vote.
See this earlier link regarding the City Council vote.
Advocates of reforming the city's property tax ordinance say changes are expected to provide residents with greater transparency in the assessment process. City Council would hire an independent evaluator to create an annual study of assessments for council's review, in which they could take no action or request an appeal to the Board of Review.