City staff is requesting that the City Council approve the attached draft ordinance amending City Code 151.007, General Regulations, and City Code 151.010, Board of Adjustment and Appeals, by updating the ordinance to include language regarding reasonable accommodations per the Fair Housing Act.

The City has received a number of requests from qualified persons with disabilities seeking fair and equal access to housing, seeking to eliminate barriers to housing opportunities.

Staff have reviewed the proposed language with our legal staff and other communities, and have crafted a purpose, definitions, findings, and an application process that qualified individuals or organizations may explore. The implications and effects of the new and amended sections is relatively minor in nature and generally does not change how the city has already been managing developments based on current controls, best management practices and other industry standards.

Attached to this report is a draft of the Reasonable Accommodation Request form that would be completed and submitted to staff for our review & approval, should this text amendment be approved.