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By many accounts, and even based on shear development spending in Lakewood, we are in the midst of a development boom in our city. Many in this room and beyond have worked very hard to put Lakewood in this position for economic growth. This growth can have drawbacks related to affordability. The gateway to becoming a part of our great community could be growing smaller, and if we are to be the diverse community we strive to be, then we ought to seek ways to keep gateways open. I also believe that we ought not use a "stick"when we haven't tried to use a carrot first. There are examples both in Cleveland and Columbus of hybrid approaches where there has been housing development or renovation that included both market rate housing and affordable housing.Tremont Pointe,the Snavely Project at 25th&Detroit in Ohio City and affordable housing strategies being implemented in Columbus are all examples of hybrid approaches to increase affordable housing. They aren't perfect in the eyes of many, and aren't necessarily cookie cutter approaches for Lakewood, but they offer us an opportunity to see how we can be creative about solving a problem. It seems to me that if a local government is willing to limit its own revenues, it can also set its own terms for how it helps people and how it incentivizes this sort of approach to property owners and developers. Lakewood ought to explore the options related to new development and renovation that require a certain percentage of units to be deemed affordable housing. At any rate, I'd be very interested in having our administration, specifically our planning department, investigate this sort of an approach with an expectation of a response within a few months. I'd then welcome for that response to be discussed within our housing committee or other committee deemed appropriate. In my opinion, there are two basic challenges to adding more affordable housing—market forces and politics. I believe we have the ability to work through both using this approach, without jeopardizing Lakewood's growth. I look forward to further discussion. Sincerely, John Litten Councilmember—Ward 3 Motion by President O'Leary, seconded by Councilman Litten to refer to Housing Committee. Discussion: Vice President Anderson reminded Council of the Housing Committee hearing in March on the topic of affordable housing and expressed interest in incorporating this communication in a broad discussion of affordable housing strategies. President O'Leary expressed enthusiasm for this important conversation. viii