Government
BY KAROLINE PFEIL
City limits workforce housing finance
Moving forward
The creation of workforce housing in Bee Cave remains an ongoing discussion topic for City Council. “Just because we’re passing this ordinance doesn’t mean that we’re against workforce housing,” council member Andrea Willott said. “It’s just that as we looked into the type of financing it is and how the city would be disadvantaged by the loss of the property tax, we decided to write this ordinance, and I’m completely for it.” The city had previously considered a city- owned property near Skaggs Drive and Bee Cave Parkway as a location for a workforce housing project, though that property was later agreed upon as a suitable location for a new city library building at a meeting held Dec. 10. At that meeting, Mayor Kara King stated that the city was still evaluating workforce housing opportunities.
The city of Bee Cave will limit the power of housing finance corporations and public facility corporations in a new ordinance approved at the Feb. 11 City Council meeting. PFCs and HFCs are entities formed to promote affordable housing opportunities. Properties owned by them are not taxable, which can end up negatively impacting municipalities, city attorney Jason Rommel said at the meeting. The new ordinance will set regulations around these entities within city limits with the intent of protecting city interests, according to city documents. Key points of the ordinance include requiring City Council approval for formation of these entities, addressing concerns related to their tax-exempt status and defining how the city may enforce regulations in relation to these entities.
2024 Workforce housing timeline
February
City begins search for workforce housing proposals
July
All submitted workforce housing proposals denied
2025
February
City approves ordinance requiring approval for HFC or PFC formation
SOURCE: CITY OF BEE CAVE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
“This ordinance says you cannot do these things unless we the city say you can. It just gives us the ability to have a seat at the table,” Rommel said.
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