Student Housing Action Plan (SHAP)


Why address student housing?

The City continually develops community driven strategies that encourage and provide an adequate supply of quality student housing while maintaining neighborhood quality and compatibility. During the Plan Fort Collins process, City staff heard and identified a need to address the student housing supply. Several policies came out of Plan Fort Collins that specifically address student housing (see City Plan Policies section below). Fort Collins has and is experiencing an increase in population, an increase in Colorado State University (CSU) enrollment, a limited supply of multifamily housing, very low vacancy rates, student and long-term neighbor relationship issues, and challenges with addressing neighborhood concerns with potential development projects. These factors are driving the need for the development of strategies to help facilitate adequate housing supplies while identifying the issues that development has upon existing neighborhoods.

Applicable City plan Policies

The specific connections to City Plan include:

Policy LIV 7.2 - Develop an Adequate Supply of Housing
Encourage public and private for-profit and non-profit sectors to take actions to develop and maintain an adequate supply of single- and multifamily housing, including mobile homes and manufactured housing.

Policy LIV 7.7 - Accommodate the Student Population
Plan for and incorporate new housing for the student population on campuses and in areas near educational campuses and/or that are well-served by public transportation.

Action Plan – Student Housing Plan (PRIORITY)
Coordinate with Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, and others to develop a plan that identifies future locations and other desirable characteristics of future student housing development.

What is the purpose and possible outcomes?

The purpose of this project is to work with CSU, neighbors, developers, and other stakeholders to identify strategies to address the increasing need for student housing, identify possible key areas for development, and identify potential impacts and compatibility issues. Feedback received through the community engagement process will drive the specific recommendations and action items for this project, which could include recommended code or process changes, design criteria, and mechanisms for review and monitoring of the implemented strategies.

What will the community outreach process look like?

The community outreach process will include all involved parties and stakeholders. CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, a department dedicated to enhancing local democracy through improved public communication and community problem solving, is assisting with the community engagement process. Some of the public engagement will happen in the form of surveys, focus groups, large stakeholder dialogues, board and commission meetings, and professional organization meetings.

Who is involved?

Ultimately, everyone in Fort Collins can be a part of this conversation. City and CSU staff make up the working group, and the identified stakeholders include: Associated Students of CSU (ASCSU), Front Range Community College, neighbors, Fort Colllins Board of Realtors, Colorado State University Research Foundation (CSURF), developers, property managers/landlords, Everitt Real Estate Center, North Fort Collins Business Association and South Fort Collins Business Association. We surveyed students on preferred rental housing and plan to re-survey each semester. Identified stakeholders participated in focus groups, and we'll invite more stakeholders to join in a larger deliberative dialogue process. We'll attend boards and commissions, as well as professional organizations, at their business meetings to update them in the project's progress. City Council will receive periodic written updates, and a formal City Council Work Session is scheduled in February 2012. Anyone can provide their input and feedback individually by contacting the project managers (listed below). Your input is valuable and appreciated!

What is the timeline for this plan?

March to June 2011 – Project startup and data collection
July to November 2011 – Public engagement and issues analysis
November to December 2011 – Formulate recommendations; public participation
January to February 2012 – Prepare recommendations; City Council Work Session; public participation
March to April 2012 – Final action plan; public participation
April 2012 – City Council approval

Contacts

Beth Sowder, Neighborhood Services Manager, 970-221-6676,
Ken Waido, Chief Planner, 970-221-6753,