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2005 Workshop Reports -
Housing Discussion Forum
Introduction
The 2005 Yellow Springs Housing Discussion
group was asked to evaluate housing challenges listed as important
during the 2004 Yellow Springs forum. Discussion group members
examined and discussed each challenge on the list and decided that the
most critical housing challenge was the need for innovative and
creative models for housing design, tenure and social organization,
such as new urbanism. These models, in turn, should provide creative
ideas regarding the issues of diversity, density and parking. Group
members also identified the need to educate residents about
alternative models of housing development.
Although the issue of vacant land was
discussed extensively, the group concluded that changes to the Village
Zoning Code facilitated redevelopment of vacant lots and plans for the
redevelopment of large, vacant parcels of land were underway. Most
members thought the vacant land issue could be removed from the list
of challenges. The group’s final list included only two housing
challenges: the need for innovation in all aspects of housing and the
promotion of diversity (broadly defined to include race, ethnicity,
economic class and age) through the development of innovative housing
development and redevelopment. Members identified the need for a
cultural shift from traditional forms of design and tenure to more
innovative methods. Finally, members suggested more information about
current and future demand for housing was needed. For example, several
members noted the need for additional information about elderly
housing needs in the village. (Please note that the Friends Care
Center completed a survey in late 2004 of Yellow Springs’ area
adults, age 50+, to discuss housing needs.)
Challenges
- Vacant Land/Vacant Parcels
- High value vacant structures, entice owners
to sell
- Parcels v. Individual Lots
- Incentives to owners
- Shows progress
- Zoning Codes
- Parcel/Acquisition and Planning
- Diversity (5 red dots, 8 green dots)
- Density- mix (high density)
- Need for committed owners, developers,
community, village government
- Housing options (types/price)
- Targeting seniors, young families,
Antioch staff, trades people
- Acceptable/owner cost housing
- Appropriate housing types
- Market composition needs
- Seniors, Empty Nesters, Antioch, Young,
Family housing
- Can we get examples?
- Diversity (people, incomes)
- Commitment (Subsidies)
- Cultural/ Changes
- Innovation, social and physical changes
- Innovation (8 red dots, 6 green dots)
- Need for innovation
- Cultural Shift
- More information and examples
- Alternative designs
- Innovative use of space (parking)
- Cultural Change
- Examples/ alternatives
- Creative Financing
- Density/ Mix
- Social Design
- Community inter-connectedness
- Through innovation diversity will be
achieved
Priority Challenge: Innovation
In discussing the action plan, members
highlighted the need to identify innovative, yet viable,
alternatives to traditional housing development and redevelopment in
Yellow Springs. They noted the need for education and public
relations in terms of educating residents’ about the benefits of
innovation in this regard. The group concluded that innovative
housing design and development (e.g., clustered developments, higher
densities, new urbanism) should and would promote diversity within
the village, but that any housing initiative should be based on an
understanding of the demand for housing among different constituent
groups (e.g., the elderly) within the village.
Action Plan
- Through innovation we can achieve diversity
- Village and large employers survey (to
determine housing need)
- Investigation of alternative housing
(find examples)
- Public relations/Education
- Identify incentives for alternate
designs
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