AURORA — The Aurora City Council voted 8-4 Monday night to approve an affordable housing overlay district spanning a 14-block stretch of the East New York Street corridor, a move supporters say will spur development of mixed-income housing in one of the city's most underserved neighborhoods.
The overlay, which takes effect July 1, will require developers building projects of 20 or more units within the district to set aside at least 15 percent of units as affordable, defined as accessible to households earning 60 percent or less of the area median income. In exchange, developers will receive density bonuses allowing up to two additional stories beyond current zoning limits and expedited permitting through the city's planning department.