“Johnson County is in the midst of a study that began in April, and has included a series of public meetings and focus groups held throughout the county. The consultants, CommunityScale, plan to deliver final recommendations to the Board of Supervisors in November, but have already begun sharing preliminary findings.”

“The final recommendations are meant to serve as a guide to staff and elected officials that can support equitable housing access, remove barriers to development, land use plans, and other local policies.”

“So far the county’s recommendations include investing in small-town downtowns, expanding water infrastructure, increasing incentives for infill development, as well as direct investment from the county in expanding housing stock.”

“CommunityScale also has noted that the majority of housing units outside the non-metro area are single family homes. The team is looking to explore infill development opportunities that can provide different housing types to prospective residents.”

“‘The county is growing at a faster rate than the non-metro area. The non metro area could capture more of that growth with the right investments in housing, the right inventory,” Sauser said at a Johnson County supervisors work session. “The non metro area is very well located, and it’s not a big county. People feel like you can live in unincorporated Johnson County, or where the small cities are and be close to your job.’”