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Friends of Flagstaff’s Future update for June 19

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In This Issue

  • Act to Support Flagstaff’s Livability
    • Affordable Housing Project: We need Affordable Housing NOW!
    • Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: Apply for the Steering Committee
    • June 26th: Second Meeting about DMV Development
  • Support F3 at the Garden Thrift by donating and shopping
    • Stuff the Truck – Saturday June 24 10 to 2 pm
    • Shop in July
Act to Support Flagstaff’s Livability!
We need Affordable Housing NOW!

It’s no secret that we are in a housing affordability crisis. Housing Solution’s 2017 Rental Availability Report found that the average rental rate for a one-bedroom is $1,161  and $1,427 for two-bedroom. What can we do to make Flagstaff a livable place for everyone who wants to be here?
Though it’s a complicated problem without one perfect solution, our City Council is considering an affordable rental unit project that will make a real difference for at least 50 Flagstaff families.

FAST FACTS

  • This project combines three parcels to create a project for which a developer can apply for tax credits to make it profitable for them.
  • The 2-person income limit for this property is $30,180/yr
  • The units will remain affordable for at least 30 years
  • The project meets the Council’s goal to distribute affordable housing across the city
  • Council unanimously approved moving forward with the plan in May

Some segments of the Cheshire Neighborhood (located by one of the parcels) are opposed to the project for understandable reasons from their perspective. Friends of Flagstaff’s Future is supporting this project as means to increase livability.  We are taking a broad view interested in the well-being of all residents and we’d like you to join us.

TWO EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT:
1.  Email all City Council Members to express your support for affordable housing development on the Schultz Pass property. You can email Council at the following email address:council@flagstaffaz.gov.

2.  Participate in the City’s online community input portal, expressing your interest in affordable housing and your support for affordable housing development on the Schultz Pass property. The portal is accessible at http://www.flagstaff.az.gov/index.aspx?nid=3284# until Midnight on Tuesday.

We would also you to come to the June 27th Council Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Murdoch Center when this issue will be addressed.
Climate Action and Adaptation Plan: City Requesting Applications for Steering Committee

As part of the Flagstaff City Council’s goal to take meaningful climate action, City staff will work with the community to develop Flagstaff’s first Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. This plan will set goals for greenhouse gas emission reductions and will establish a plan for how the Flagstaff community will adapt to the changing climate.
Community involvement is one of the City’s primary goals for this plan. In order to obtain input from a diverse group of Flagstaff residents and organizations, a Steering Committee is being created to guide the strategic direction of the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The Committee will meet regularly, starting in July 2017 through July 2018. The city would like individuals interested in serving on the Steering Committee fill out a simple form to indicate their interest and availability.

The Steering Committee Interest Form is located here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8MBJVWD.  The interest form will close on Monday, June 26th

The Steering Committee is just the first step – there will be many opportunities for input into the Plan over the next year. The public engagement and plan development process will officially start in September 2017. We will continue to update you with involvement opportunities as they arise.
Monday June 26th: Second Meeting about DMV Development

Discussions on the proposed Mill Town student housing complex became public last Thursday. Mill Town, a 1,221-bed student housing development project, plans to be mixed use, with retail on the bottom floor and five floors of student residence above. It also
includes a pedestrian underpass, crossing Milton at the University intersection, as well as designated bus and bike lanes on the road extension/realignment projects.  Because the property’s current zoning code allows for a max height of 60ft, Vintage issued a conditional use permit to allow a height of 95ft. Vintage reported the tallest building would most likely come to 89ft to accommodate a proposed rooftop bar and decorative features. Parking for this development would include over 900 spaces for residents, with another 200 for retail.

Though the City is involved in this project, none of these plans have been finalized, and approval of the project has not been guaranteed.

What do you think about this project? Is this development something that Flagstaff wants? What could it bring to our community? What could it take away? Commentary on this issue is open and we encourage you to use your voice to impact what happens in Flagstaff!

There will be another public community meeting on this development on Monday, June 26 from 6:00-8:00pm at the ADOT Training Facility (1901 S Milton Rd).

You can also email questions directly to City Planning Director Dan Folke atdfolke@flagstaffaz.gov and City Engineer Rick Barrett at rbarrett@flagstaffaz.gov.
Support F3 at the Garden Thrift!
Stuff the Truck Event – June 24, 10 am to 12 pm

Bring your gently-used clothes, furniture, and other household items to the store (2 S Beaver St) on June 24th.
If you can’t make it on the 24th, drop your items off anytime and mention F3 when you do!
Shop at the Garden in July

Visit early and often to support F3!  Attend the auction on July 1st and be entertained each Saturday of the month!
Community Events
Find social justice, environmental, and other activism events on the This Community facebook page.