It is the policy of the County to encourage the existence of a supply of desirable and affordable housing for persons employed in Pitkin County, senior citizens, the handicapped, and other qualified persons of Pitkin County. Pitkin County seeks to preserve existing affordable housing to the extent possible; and to encourage the development of affordable housing within established Urban Growth Boundaries, where employment, services and facilities are typically already established.
- (a) It is the policy of Pitkin County to promote the availability of affordable housing for employees generated by proposed development.
- (b) A diversity of housing types and densities is encouraged in order to ensure affordable housing for a range of individual and families. Deed restricted housing that ensures occupancy by full time residents is preferred for development, especially within Urban Growth Boundaries.
- (c) Affordable housing of urban or suburban densities is not encouraged outside the Urban Growth Boundaries if it promotes sprawl or other development inconsistent with this or other policies or regulations of the County. Affordable housing outside Urban Growth Boundaries may be acceptable if it is: (i) Employee Dwelling Units (EDU) and Caretaker Dwelling Units (CDU); (ii) job related on-site housing; (iii) conversion of existing locally serving housing; (iv) on-site required mitigation housing; or (v) replacement of existing affordable housing.
- (d) Quality residential areas, which function as integral neighborhood units, are encouraged.
- (e) Rehabilitation of existing residential facilities should be promoted where feasible. The purchase and buy-down of existing units throughout the county is encouraged since it promotes affordable housing goals without increasing growth rates or impacts.
- (f) Special attention should be directed to providing for dispersal of housing for low and moderate income families and low income senior citizens throughout the residential areas of the Urban Growth Boundaries with due consideration to other policies of the County and the availability of water and sewer service, fire protection, public transportation, employment, shopping, schools, social services, and recreational activities.
- (g) The use of energy conservation and innovative home building techniques in order to reduce construction and/or operating costs without sacrificing safety or desirability of the housing shall be encouraged and supported. When appropriate, the revision or adoption of building codes will be encouraged to meet this objective. For deed restricted housing projects, a preference will be given to developers and contractors that utilize such techniques.