Workforce Housing, AKA Low Income Housing

The Council has on their March 8 agenda, item M, to modify the Unified Development Code to accommodate low income housing. This is the second reading of this ordinance and if approved will make the changes permanent.

Notice that the descriptive words are being changed from low income housing to workforce housing as a means for deceiving the citizens of Georgetown about what is really going on. The language explicitly states that this housing will only be available to those with income of 80% or less of the median family income as determined by HUD.

This is another wedge into the City to allow HUD to impose rules and regulations onto the citizens of Georgetown. It also restricts the rights of property owners to either keep the properties for 10 years, sell to another low income family, or pay fees to the city. This is more over-reach by the Federal Government as they continue their quest for control over all aspects of your life.

Here is the exact language to be included:



6.07.030 Workforce Housing Development

A. Purpose To encourage affordable housing for the workforce, this Code allows flexibility to the development standards and allowable housing types for projects that foster housing affordability.

B. Dimensional Standards The following Table provides the dimensional standards for each residential district that can be used in lieu of the dimensional standards otherwise applicable.


Table 6.07.030 Workforce Housing Dimensional Standards

Standard RS, TF, TH, MF‐1, MF‐2

Lot Size, Minimum 4,500, 6,000, 1,750, 12,000, 2 acres

Dwelling Units per acre, max ‐‐,  ‐‐,  ‐‐,  14, 24

Dwelling Size, Minimum ‐‐,  3,000, 1750, ‐‐

Dwellings per structure, Max ‐‐,  2, 8, 20, 50

Lot Width, minimum feet 35, 60, 20, 50, 50

Front Setback, minimum feet 10, 10, 10, 15, 15

Side Setback, minimum feet 5.5, 5.5, 7.5, 10, 10

Side Setback to Residential District, minimum feet ‐‐  ‐‐  ‐‐  20, 30 

Rear Setback, minimum feet 7.5, 7.5, 10, 10, 15

Rear Setback to Residential District, minimum feet ‐‐ ‐‐ ‐‐ 20, 30 

Building Height, max feet 40, 40, 45, 35, 45

Impervious Coverage, max % See Section 11.02 "impervious Cover"

1. All Standards in Table 6.070 C B shall meet any specific requirements of the allowed housing type, as detailed elsewhere in this Chapter. When a conflict occurs between such requirements and the standards of this Table, the Table shall apply.

2. Lots less than 40 feet in width must be alley loaded lots, with the exception of townhouse lots.


C. Interpretations and Exceptions All dimensional standards in Paragraph (C), above, are subject to the interpretations and exceptions in Section 6.05.


D. Alternative Sidewalk Design Refer to Section 12.02040 Alternative Design and Financing for sidewalk options in Workforce Housing Developments.

E. Workforce Housing

1. Workforce Housing Developments in Single‐Family Residential, Two‐Family and Townhouse Districts that include 20% of the housing units available for those whose incomes are less than or equal to 80% of the area median family income (as set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development) are eligible to use the standards in Table 6.070.030 for all lots within the subdivision. The deed restrictions, approved by the City Attorney, must include language that requires all workforce housing lots be restricted for ten years from the date of the original home sale to the qualifying buyer any resale shall be to a party whose income is less than or equal to 80% of the area median family income or, absent that, shall require a payment to the City of their proportionate and prorated share of fees that were waived for their lot.

2. Workforce Housing Developments in Low‐Density Multifamily (MF‐1) and High‐Density Multifamily (MF‐2) Districts are eligible to use the dimensional standards in Table 6.07.030 with the provision of the following workforce housing units.

a. Dwelling Units per structure maximum can be reached by providing 5% of the total development as workforce units.

b. Front Setback can be reduced by 5 feet for every 10% of total development set as workforce units, to the minimum.

c. Impervious cover can be increase by 10 % for every 10 % of the total development set as workforce units, to the maximum of 70%, with required water quality improvements as required in Section 11.02.

F. Fee Waivers Workforce Housing Developments are eligible for administrative fee waivers, as adopted and published by the City of Georgetown.

If you are concerned about this, show up at the council meeting and let your voice be heard! Keep in mind that Georgetown has significantly more low income housing than any of the surrounding communities or the county.