Correction: Vida Apartments is expected to resubmit a site development plan. The additional impervious cover on the site is being permitted because the owner is setting aside 10% of the units and is therefore eligible to use dimensional standards that allow additional cover.
Georgetown City Council approved a workforce housing development agreement with Vida Apartments, a new complex slated to open in 2022, during its April 13 meeting.
The move, which encourages affordable housing, will set aside 12 units to be available for individuals whose income is less than or equal to 80% of the area median family income for 10 years. The current AMI for Williamson County is $98,900, therefore 80% AMI is $79,100 for a family of four, said Susan Watkins, city of Georgetown Neighborhood & Housing Program Manager.
In exchange, the city will allow the complex to build an additional impervious covers on the property because Vida is setting aside 10% of the units and is therefore eligible to use dimensional standards that allow additional cover, city officials said. This additional cover is being allowed due to the unique shape of the site caused by the construction on the NE Inner Loop, she added.
Vida Apartments will pay $150,000 to ensure its responsibility in the agreement and provide quarterly reports showing compliance.
In addition, Vida Apartments is expected to resubmit the site development plan for final approval by the Planning & Zoning Commission, Watkins said.
Individuals eligible for workforce housing include public employees such as teachers, police officers and firefighters, city officials said.
The Vida Apartments will be located at 2900 NE Inner Loop Road, Georgetown, and have 124 units total.
In other news:
- Council unanimously approved the grant application and for city staff to continue making requests to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Texas Department of Emergency Management for public assistance related to the winter storm. If the request is approved, the city may receive up to 75% of reimbursements for certain costs. Currently there is no date for when these reimbursements will be received, according to the meeting’s agenda.
- City Council approved the approval of the submission of an application for an Internet Crimes Against Children Affiliate Sub-Award Pass Through Grant for $25,174. The grant would be used to buy forensic equipment for the Georgetown Police Department, according to the meeting’s agenda. This equipment will help GPD combat on-line child exploitation including the sexual solicitation of children and the dissemination of child pornography and child violence images or materials on the internet, it said.
