GRANTS PASS – The Grants Pass City Council will revisit changes to its Housing Code at their regular meeting Feb. 5. Two workshop sessions, Jan. 13 and 27, will precede the meeting so the council can iron out amendments to the code effecting transitional housing.
A Motion to table the discussion put forward by Councilor Clint Scherf and seconded by Councilor Rick Riker resulted in a 3-3 tie vote. Councilors Tyler Flaming and Valerie Lovelace were absent.
Breaking the tie vote in favor of postponing the decision until Feb. 5, Mayor Roy Lindsay said he was voting in favor of taking additional time to make a proper decision with the deliberation of the full council.
Lindsay said passing the motion to table the item would provide time to resolve issues that have been raised that “half the council feels we should explore.”
“It’s really important to look at them,” said Lindsay.
“The Transitional Housing Code is rather challenging and quite often references other codes, including Parks and Recreation Codes, and other codes,” said Director of Parks and Community Development Lora Glover.
Glover will make presentations at the coming workshops to assist the council with understanding how the codes relate to one another.
“We’re going to try to break it down into code sections, and really explain how the codes work out,” Glover said.
During the discussion at their Dec. 18 meeting, Councilors expressed a desire to have a better understanding of how various codes effect transitional housing design elements and requirements. Glover said she will provide information to the Council on elements such as number of units allowed per site, community restroom and shower facilities, and possible restrictions on lengths of stays in transitional housing units.
“We’re going to provide them with some of the answers they have been looking for so that they may make an informed decision,” said Glover.
Council workshops are held at 11:45 a.m. Mondays in Council Chambers, 101 NW “A” St., Grants Pass.
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