The 2025 Community Survey showed residents liked life in the City, valuing its walkability and small-town feel. Taxes, traffic, and road infrastructure were top issues. While they were satisfied with City government, they were least satisfied with road infrastructure and how growth and development are being managed.
227 people completed the City’s Accessory Dwelling Survey. The results show a community that is split on six of the nine elements, with strong disagreement on height, setback and the lack of an owner occupancy requirement.
The Planning Commission voted on key issues on Feb. 19. Owner occupancy, setbacks, and size were the most contentious, but views also diverged on the number of occupants. March 5th Public Hearing/Final Recommendations for Council.
The ULI-TAP discussions on the Gordon Road Triangle suggested a phased redevelopment, including re-doing an earlier property yard study, zoning for more multi-family and mixed-use housing, and affordable housing.
Planning Commissioners continue to have issues with owner occupancy, size, height and setbacks of detached accessory dwellings – details that impact neighboring properties. No consensus was reached. The State Senate passed their AD bill.
Open houses were sparsely attended but vocal. Community concerns include the lack of owner occupancy, environmental issues, the one size fits all approach and no requirement to notify neighbors of construction plans.
At the urging of City Council and Planning Commission, staff reversed the decision to allow short-term rental in accessory dwellings, but made no changes to accommodate other concerns about impacts on neighbors, neighborhood and the environment.
The FY2026 budget guidance cautions that real estate tax rates may need to rise to meet the increased costs for infrastructure and school enrollment growth. Also, there is uncertainty in state and federal funding, and the regional economy.
FCCPS growth, driven by new residents moving into West Falls, Broad and Washington and Founders Row II, is a major factor in the 9.4% increase in the FY2026 budget guidance. Staff salary increase is about 5%.
