HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/23/2026 - Regular Agenda Packet - Housing Plan Advisory CommitteeCollege Station, TX
Meeting Agenda
Housing Plan Advisory Committee
1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, TX 77840
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The City Council may or may not attend this meeting.
September 23, 2026 4:00 PM City Hall Bush 4141 Community
Room
College Station, TX Page 1
Notice is hereby given that a quorum of the meeting body will be present in the physical location
stated above where citizens may also attend in order to view a member(s) participating by
videoconference call as allowed by 551.127, Texas Government Code. The City uses a third-
party vendor to host the virtual portion of the meeting; if virtual access is unavailable, meeting
access and participation will be in-person only.
1.Call to order and introductions.
2.Agenda Items.
2.1. Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
Attachments: 1. July 22, 2026
2.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Housing Action Plan Progress Report
and Plan implementation progress.
2.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding future meeting dates and times.
3.Adjourn.
Adjournment into Executive Session may occur in order to consider any item listed on the agenda if a
matter is raised that is appropriate for Executive Session discussion.
I certify that the above Notice of Meeting was posted on the website and at College Station City Hall,
1101 Texas Avenue, College Station, Texas, on September 14, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
City Secretary
This building is wheelchair accessible. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting
and who may need accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services such as interpreters,
readers, or large print are asked to contact the City Secretary’s Office at (979) 764-3541, TDD
at 1-800-735-2989, or email adaassistance@cstx.gov at least two business days prior to the
meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made. If the City does not receive notification
at least two business days prior to the meeting, the City will make a reasonable attempt to
provide the necessary accommodations.
Page 1 of 10
July 22, 2026 Housing Plan Advisory Committee Minutes 1 of 3
Minutes
Housing Plan Advisory Committee
July 22, 2026
Committee Members Present: Chairperson Geralyn Nolan, Brian Yung, Aaron Shipp,
and Valen Cepak
Committee Members Absent: Ivas Garcia, June Martin and John Nesmith
City Staff Present: Community Development Administrator David Brower, Community
Development Analyst Raney Whitwell, Community Development Analyst Frank Myers,
Community Development Intern Savannah Powell, Director of Planning and
Development Services Anthony Armstrong, Assistant Director of Planning and
Development Services Molly Hitchcock, Long Range Planning Administrator Christine
Leal, Principal Planner Heather Wade, Staff Planner Ashley Klein, Staff Assistant
Tiffany Romero
1. Call meeting to Order and Introductions
Chairperson Nolan called the meeting to order at 4:35 pm.
2. Agenda Items
2.1 Consideration, discussion, and possible action to approve meeting minutes.
• April 22, 2026
Committee Member Cepak motioned to approve meeting minutes. Committee
Member Yung seconded the motion, the motion passed 4-0.
2.2. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Housing Action Plan
implementation progress.
Community Development Administrator Brower presented the following progress report
on Housing Action Plan implementation progress:
Affordable Rental Housing Partnerships
• Brazos Valley Community Action Programs purchased a single family home on
Colgate using CDBG funding, increasing their affordable rental inventory in College
Station to 21 units.
• Elder Aid currently operates 29 units, and Twin City Mission operates 4 units, all
supported through grant funding.
• These updates relate to the ongoing strategy of partnering with nonprofit organizations
to expand affordable rental housing opportunities.
Density Bonus RFP and Consultant Selection
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July 22, 2026 Housing Plan Advisory Committee Minutes 2 of 3
• The initial Density Bonus Program RFP received no submissions; after revisions, four
responses were received.
• EPS (Economic and Planning Systems) was selected to conduct the density bonus
study. EPS brings extensive experience from similar work in Austin.
• The study will support redevelopment planning in the Northeast Gateway area, with
the goal of generating affordable units or financial contributions toward affordable
housing.
Committee members briefly discussed potential future applications of EPS’s work,
including a possible application to the Harvey Corridor.
Council Direction: Incentivizing Single-Family Attached Housing (Townhomes)
• City Council requested a workshop item on incentivizing townhomes and other
single-family attached housing, aligning with the committee’s focus on increasing
homeownership opportunities.
• Staff presented incentive options, leading Council to direct development of a pilot
program using Chapter 380 agreements to refund fees based on targeted density
outcomes.
• Staff will evaluate whether these agreements can stipulate ownership rather than
rental as a requirement.
Committee Member Cepak asked if the 380 agreements were to be included for
ownership. Community Development Administrator Brower stated that is why staff will
be evaluating the agreements and researching that further.
2.3. Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding the Housing Action Plan’s
Goals, Strategies, and Actions and next steps towards their implementation.
Staff Planner Ashley Klein provided an update on the City-Initiated Rezoning Initiative:
Review of Eligible Properties
• Staff conducted a detailed review of all residential future land-use areas eligible for
middle housing rezoning.
• Two areas totaling 16 acres were removed due to sanitation access limitations (Lemon
Tree) and conflicting active rezoning (Reatta Meadows).
• The remaining 186 acres could accommodate approximately 1,076 additional housing
units if rezoned.
Public Engagement Plan
• Engagement will include one in-person meeting at City Hall and online opportunities
(Zoom/Teams with breakout rooms).
• Notifications will be sent to all property owners within and around the proposed
rezoning areas (200-foot radius).
• Participants will be able to provide input through interactive GIS maps and annotated
printed maps.
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July 22, 2026 Housing Plan Advisory Committee Minutes 3 of 3
• This outreach is expected to occur between September and October.
Committee members discussed several displayed map quadrants and asked clarifying
questions about potential rezoning impacts, Harvey Corridor connections, and individual
parcels. Staff emphasized that the initiative remains exploratory, with public feedback
determining which areas advance. Members expressed general support for proceeding to
public engagement before forming formal recommendations, noting the value of multi-step
vetting and neighborhood input.
Community Development Intern Savannah Powell advanced benchmarking work for the
Housing Capacity Study. The Housing Capacity Study RFP is expected to be released early
in the fall after FY27 funds become available October 1.
Community Development Administrator Brower stated that approximately $650,000 is
budgeted for the Down Payment Assistance Program in FY27. Participation slowed due to
rising interest rates, insurance costs, and the widening gap between income limits and
available home prices. Staff is researching alternatives, including deed-restricted
homeownership models, and has initiated discussions with the Houston Land Trust.
Committee members reflected on Council’s recent workshop discussion and noted that
Council conversations frequently shifted toward density and ownership prioritization.
Members expressed optimism about progress on initiatives but noted challenges in aligning
all stakeholders around affordability goals.
3. Adjourn
Committee Member Shipp motioned to adjourn the meeting, Committee Member
Yung seconded, the meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
Approved: Attest:
Geralyn Nolan, Chairperson Tiffany Romero, Board Secretary
Page 4 of 10
#BoardPrioritization Name Status Last Comment
City of College Station HousingAction Plan On Track A resolution was passed by Council to establish the Housing Action Plan Advisory Committee and the Board has been appointed by Council, has gone through training, and has prioritized the action items for
implementation. Work on the action items has begun.
1.1.1 1 Action 1 – Amend the Unified
Development Ordinance (UDO) toallow for greater density and
housing variety
Not Started Benchmarking has occurred.
1.1.2 6 Action 2 – Rezone certain areas
to allow more density and housing
variety.
On Track Staff identified approximately 700 parcels in the City that are appropriate for rezoning to the Middle
Housing Zoning District. With the approval of the Housing Plan Advisory Committee, City staff will now
engage with property owners, nearby residents, and community members about the potential to rezone
the identified properties. At the conclusion of the public engagement period, Staff will return to the HPAC
to share engagement results and get further direction from the committee.
1.1.3 2 Action 3 – Create processes
offering expedited permitting and
reduced or eliminated City
development fees for projects
that provide affordable housing
units that are rented or sold below
market rates and restricted to low-
and moderate-income
households.
On Track Residential building permits are already processed within 5–7 days, which reflects a strong existing
turnaround time. Because this performance already meets the intent of Action 1.1.3, no additional
changes are being pursued at this stage.
Staff reviewed all development related fees to determine which may be appropriate for waiver in support
of affordable housing and which should remain in place. Coordination meetings with the City Attorney’s
Office, Fiscal Services, and Parks helped evaluate the fiscal and legal implications of potential waivers.
Through this process, staff identified project specific development agreements as the preferred
mechanism for implementing fee waivers for affordable housing. Any fee elimination would occur case
by case through such agreements.
At their first meeting in July 2026, City Council directed staff to develop a pilot program to incentivize
single family attached/townhome development using Chapter 380 Economic Development Agreements. Staff will prepare options and return for further Council direction. Findings from the Density Bonus Study
and Housing Capacity Study will guide recommendations related to fee waivers and incentive design.
1.2.1 15 Action 1 - Opportunities for infill
development will be explored in
the first two actions in this
section to allow greater density
through amendment of the UDO
and rezoning of certain areas.
On Track Current efforts to pro-actively re-zone discussed areas to middle housing will help to encourage infill
development as market forces dictate.
1.2.2 11 Action 2 – Investigate allowing or
promoting housing on unused
institutional/public land.
On Track Staff has met with officials from both College Station Independent School District and Texas A&M
University to discuss the Housing Action Plan and the possibility of unused land being used as workforce
housing. Staff has evaluated land owned by the City of College Station and concluded that no current
holdings would be appropriate for housing development.
1.3.1 Action 1 – P&DS and the
Community Services Department
will create a program to
encourage and incentivize
alternative and energy-efficient
building methods with a focus on
affordable housing.
Not Started
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#Board
Prioritization Name Status Last Comment
2.1.1 13 Action 1 - Work with organizations
and businesses to create housingfor their employees through a
client or employee housingprogram.
Not Started Staff has reviewed how other cities support employers in offering workforce housing.
2.1.2 16 Action 2 – Create formal
mechanisms to collaborate with
Texas A&M University, Blinn
College, Brazos County, and the
City of Bryan to share data,
achieve housing goals, and
advocate for changes needed to
implement housing goals.
On Track Initial meetings to discuss the goals of the Housing Action Plan and to explore possible collaboration
have occurred with Texas A&M University, College Station Independent School District, and the City of
Bryan. Efforts will continue to achieve this goal.
2.2.1 7 Action 1 – Create a deed-
restricted homeownership
program.
On Track A gap analysis was conducted which determined that raising the down payment assistance cap from
$50,000 to $80,000—while maintaining the 30% of sales price limit—would enable more families to enter
the housing market and achieve homeownership. New guidelines were taken to City Council and
approved April 2025. This resulted in the Down Payment Assistance Program being used again after no
successful applicants since January 2023.
Staff has benchmarked and investigated deed restricted homeownership models and has determined
that a capable nonprofit partner will be necessary to provide the intensive support and case
management that make these types of programs successful. Staff recently met with the Director of the
Houston Community Land Trust and will be meeting with local nonprofits to explore partnership
possibilities.
2.2.2 8 Action 2 – Pursue partnerships
with nonprofit and for-profit
organizations to construct
affordable homeownership
opportunities using CDBG, HOME,
or other funding sources.
On Track The city has released affordable housing RFPs soliciting local nonprofits' proposals to use Federal
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and/or HOME Investment Partnership Grant (HOME) funds
to produce affordable homeownership or rental opportunities. Only proposals to produce affordable
rental opportunities have been received.
Staff has met with our longstanding rental housing partners to discuss possible ways to expand to
homeownership opportunities.
2.2.3 14 Action 3 – Pursue tools to assist
with the financing of affordable
homeownership such as the
purchase of a duplex with the
buyer residing in one half and
using rental income from the
other half to help qualify for
financing or the construction of
an accessory dwelling unit that
could be used to generate rental
income to qualify for financing.
Not Started This type of program cannot be funded with Federal Grants the City receives and could possibly be
funded with nonfederal funds generated from a density bonus program.
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#Board
Prioritization Name Status Last Comment
2.3.1 18 Action 1 – Community Services
Department staff will investigatethe creation of a Municipal
Housing Authority to providerental housing opportunities for
households making at or below80% of the area median income.
On Track Staff has researched how Municipal Housing Authorities are created, how they function, and what
programs they can operate. Initial funds will be necessary to create a functioning Municipal Housing Authority, which would operate as a separate governmental entity with commissioners appointed by City
Council.
2.3.2 18 Action 2 – Community Services
Department staff will work with
local partners to create an inter-
generational home share
program.
Off Track Staff partnered with the United Way of the Brazos Valley to develop an Intergenerational Home Share
Program modeled after a successful program in Dallas. The City initially planned to provide HOME Grant
funding to launch the program and was prepared to move forward with a contract. However, legal
concerns regarding potential Fair Housing implications prevented the City from proceeding with HOME
funding. The program is currently on hold while alternative funding sources are explored.
2.4.1 4 Action 1 – Create a density bonus
system for new development
meeting increased density goals.
On Track Staff developed a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking a consultant to evaluate the financial feasibility
of a density bonus program for the Northeast Gateway Redevelopment Area. The study will evaluate
options that allow developers to provide affordable housing or pay an in-lieu fee to support affordable
housing elsewhere.
Four proposals were received, and Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. was selected to complete the
study. A contract was executed in August 2026 for $85,000, funded with Community Development Block
Grant (CDBG) funds. The first phase of the study is currently underway.
The study should be completed by December and results will be used to create a density bonus program
along with the re-zoning of the Northeast Gateway Area.
2.4.2 5 Action 2 – Create a Local Housing
Finance Corporation (HFC) to help
finance affordable single-family
and multi-family developments.
Off Track This option is currently not being pursued, and it could affect the City's bond rating. Staff will revisit in the
future to see if anything has changed.
2.4.3 9 Action 3 – Partner with
developers to create affordable
rental housing through the
creation of Housing Public Facility
Corporations.
Not Started This option has been researched, but no action has been taken.
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#Board
Prioritization Name Status Last Comment
2.4.4 12 Action 4 – Partner with Low
Income Housing Tax Credit(LIHTC) developers to secure
awards of 9% tax credits to bringadditional affordable rental
housing to College Station.
On Track The City released a Request for Interest (RFI) seeking responses from developers interested in pursuing
9% Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) developments in College Station. A City resolution of support is an important component of a successful LIHTC application to the State, and developers
responding to the RFI were seeking this support for their proposed projects.
The City received one response from Woda Cooper to develop an affordable housing community at 2735 South Harvey Mitchell Parkway. Staff met with the developer multiple times, including through a Pre-
Application Conference (PAC), to review the proposed project and identify changes needed to meet City requirements and improve the project's viability.
Woda Cooper presented the project to City Council on February 12, 2026, and Council adopted a
resolution of support. However, a critical financing commitment from the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs (TDHCA) was subsequently lost. Staff and the developer explored replacing the funding with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, but this was not feasible due to
additional costs associated with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) requirements, which would have added millions of dollars to the project's cost. As a result, the project was unable to move forward.
Staff will continue to engage with LIHTC developers interested in creating affordable rental housing in
College Station and explore opportunities to support viable affordable housing developments.
2.5.1 3 Action 1 – The Community
Services Department will usegrant funds or other available
funds to acquire and rehabilitate
affordable housing units that areat risk of losing their affordability.
Not Started No units with current affordability periods are imminently close to losing their affordability periods.
Funds to eventually accomplish this will be sought and this will be considered as the need arises.
2.6.1 15 Action 1 – Create initiative to helphomeowners without homestead
exemptions to file theirhomestead exemption.
On Track Staff has completed an analysis of Brazos Central Appraisal District data to discover who might own a home (physical address matching mailing address) and not have a homestead exemption filed. The
number is surprisingly high. Staff has benchmarked and is currently moving forward with creating program options.
2.6.2 17 Action 2 – Create awareness and,
where eligible, refer homeowners
to existing weatherization
programs such as the BrazosValley Community Action
Programs (BVCAP)Weatherization Program or the
City’s existing CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG)
funded Minor Home RepairProgram.
On Track In June 2026, staff mailed approximately 1,000 postcards to College Station homeowners identified
through Brazos Central Appraisal District data as meeting specific property value, location, and structure
criteria. The targeted outreach was intended to reach low- and moderate-income homeowners who may
benefit from available housing assistance programs. Several homeowners who received the outreach subsequently learned about and utilized the Minor Home Repair Program to repair or replace HVAC
systems.
Staff also benchmarked weatherization programs in the area and developed informational materials to help connect residents with available weatherization resources.
2.7.1 11 Action 1 – Community Services
Staff will work with partners to
create a home maintenance
education and training program in2-3 years.
On Track Staff is working with the City's Public Communications Department to create superhero themed home
maintenance videos to help educate the public on important home maintenance topics. These videos
should be released soon.
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#Board
Prioritization Name Status Last Comment
2.7.2 8 Action 2 – Community Services
Staff will build on the City’scurrent home buyer education
offerings and will work with localpartners to create a
comprehensive homebuyereducation program.
Not Started Staff continues to partner with REACH to provide homebuyer education on an annual basis using the
NeighborWorks America Curriculum. Staff will investigate the possibility of expanding homebuyer education efforts.
2.7.3 10 Action 3 – The Community
Services Department will work
with partners and community
stakeholders to create a rental
education program.
Not Started No progress has been made towards this action.
2.8 Strategy 8 – Continue to seek
stakeholder and citizen feedback
and direction in the
implementation of the Housing
Action Plan.
Not Started
2.8.1 0 Action 1 – Create a Housing Plan
Oversight Committee to provide
guidance, support, and direction
in the execution of the plan.
On Track The Housing Plan Advisory Committee was created by Council Resolution in February 2025 to provide
guidance, support, advice, and recommendations in the execution of the Housing Action Plan.
After reviewing the plan and current housing data, the Committee provided their initial recommendations
to Council in November 2025.
The Committee continues to provide support and direction in the implementation of the Plan.
2.8.2 0 Action 2 – The Housing Plan
Oversight Committee and City
staff will prepare an annual
progress report.
On Track The first annual report is being presented to the Housing Plan Advisory Committee at their September
2026 meeting.
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This document was generated based upon the following criteria:
Filters:Name Like Action
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