04-0076R

RESOLUTION REFERRING IMPORTANT COMMUNITY HOUSING ISSUES TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND A TASK FORCE.

BY PRESIDENT STAUBER:

WHEREAS, the council has before it Ordinance 03-063-O pertaining to regulation of rental of houses in certain zones and under certain circumstances; and

WHEREAS, concerned citizens have reported that Ordinance 03-063-O will affect student housing and the rental industry; and

WHEREAS, concerned citizens have also reported that important quality of life factors are involved; and

WHEREAS, the council wants to assure a just process and result;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the city council of Duluth that the Duluth planning commission is directed to investigate, deliberate and report to the council its findings and recommendations about what geographic area of the city will be most appropriate for concentrated college student housing and what measures the council can take to establish a student housing area.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city council requests that the building inspection process task force chartered by Mayor Bergson, of which a councilor is a member, will investigate, deliberate and report to the council its findings and recommendations about how structure inspections necessitated by Ordinance 03-063-O and other laws can be completed and whether changes in inspection fees are in order.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:  This resolution delegates a task to the planning commission and requests assistance from the mayor's task force, all intended to improve the final outcome of proposed Ordinance 03-063-O, dealing with housing.