The rundown
Following executive session at a July 9 meeting, council announced its unanimous vote to reject all workforce housing proposals and create a new request with updated criteria.
A statement from the city states this action would "give city staff time to update the city’s comprehensive plan, and provide more specifics regarding project design and financing."
At this time, it is unclear which design and financial parameters will be added to the criteria for new proposals, city spokesperson Crystal Cotti said. Additionally, no new timeline has been established for the project.
"This decision does not stop the project or lessen the city’s commitment to providing a solution for workforce housing," the city said in the statement.
The background
The workforce housing project is planned for the 22-acre, city-owned tract of land along the south side of Bee Cave Parkway and west of Skaggs Drive, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
The new building will include income-restricted units intended for Bee Cave's essential workers, such as teachers and first responders.
Further details of the project will be fleshed out in the new request for proposal, which will call on private developers to submit plans for the city's approval once again.
Quote of note
"Financing is always a big factor with these types of projects, because they need to be affordable for our workforce for many years, not just in the beginning," Cotti said.
What else?
In recent months, Lake Travis ISD also announced plans to create workforce housing for its staff.
The project would be funded through the district's newly established public facility corporation, which provides developers with a 100% property and sales tax exemption in exchange for income-restricted units.
