2017/11/15 Council Agenda Packet

LI ORDINANCE NO. An Ordinance Regarding an Exemption for Special Connection Charges for Low-Income Housing Projects,Amending Ordinance 3095-08 WHEREAS,the Legislature authorized waiver or delay of collection of tap-in charges, connection or hookup fees, also known as system development charges, for low income persons (RCW 35.92.380); WHEREAS,the City imposes a special connection charge,which is a system development charge,under Ordinance 3095-08 (codified at 14.08.135); WHEREAS,very low-income and low-income housing projects that receive public funding are typically subject to income,rent and price restrictions enforced through recorded covenants, ensuring affordability but also limiting funds available for development costs; WHEREAS, exemption of special connection charge will enable low- income housing projects to become economically viable and produce more low-income housing units; WHEREAS, exemption of system development charges, such the special connection charge, is categorically exempt from review under the State Environmental Policy Act; and NOW IHEREFORE, TH N; CITY OF EVERETT DOES ORDAIN: Section 1. Ordinance 3095-08 (codified at 14.08.135) is amended to add the following section: K. The director of planning and community development, after consultation with the director of public works,may grant to a low-income housing project a partial exemption of applicable special connection charges of not more than eighty percent of the special connection charges. Upon application, the director of planning and community development shall base approval of a partial exemption on meeting the following requirements: 1. Fee exemptions shall only be available to low-income housing rent restricted units serving households earning at or below fifty percent of area median income. 2. Fee exemptions may only be granted to nonprofit entities or public entities providing low-income housing. 1 22