Nestled in Nature, Built for Community:
Frisco’s Housing Vision.
About the Project
In February 2024, the Town of Frisco kicked off development of its Strategic Housing Plan, which will transcend the traditional boundaries of a housing needs assessments by integrating comprehensive data modeling and scenario simulations to form an actionable, strategic plan. These tools will not only evaluate Frisco’s current housing landscape but also envision potential future developments. The core objective is to craft feasible and balanced policies and implementation strategies that support a vibrant, sustainable, year-round community that is welcoming to all, in alignment with the Town’s adopted overarching vision, guiding principles, and goals, including:
- Town Vision in the 2019 Community Plan: “A close-knit, welcoming community that cherishes our history, environment, healthy lifestyle, and unique sense of place.”
- Guiding Principle No. 1 in the 2019 Community Plan: “We are an inclusive community that welcomes people of all backgrounds and income levels. We support a balance of housing options to create opportunities for a diverse population to reside here.”
- Priority Goals in the Strategic Plan to increase full-time residents to 50% and create a 5-year housing capital plan
Moreover, the project acknowledges the inevitable growth and economic expansion within Frisco and Summit County at large. It addresses critical questions regarding the utilization of housing inventory, the impact of tourism, and the balance among economic interests, environmental sustainability, and community welfare. Through rigorous “what if” scenario planning, the initiative will explore the multifaceted implications of housing development, from economic activity and job creation to environmental impacts.
In essence, this project embodies Frisco’s proactive approach to navigating its future and reflects a deep-seated recognition of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The development of this Strategic Housing Plan is a steadfast commitment to crafting a future that honors the Town’s unique values while foster an inclusive and equitable community.
Goals of the Strategic Housing Plan
Frisco is a community recognized for its breathtaking natural beauty and tight-knit neighborhood feel. However, like many thriving mountain towns beloved by residents and visitors alike, we continue to face challenges related to housing affordability, availability, and choice. These issues impact our local workforce, our economy, and whether residents can stay in a community that they love and feel connected to. Our goals with the development of this Strategic Housing Plan are to:
- Understand Frisco’s Unique Needs: We want to really understand the hurdles that Frisco specifically faces when developing new or maintaining existing housing. This includes tackling issues that affect both our residents and businesses to ensure that any solutions are comprehensive and considerate of unique Frisco needs. Building off the 2023 Summit County Housing Needs Assessment, we aim to dive deeper into Frisco’s specific housing environment and needs.
- Engage and Collaborate on Solutions: As the Strategic Housing Plan develops, we understand that the path to meaningful change is paved with the collective insights and aspirations of our community. As such, the plan will be shaped by feedback from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders, and we’ll be engaging with you through various outreach methods in the coming months.
- Develop an Actionable, Strategic Plan: Once we better understand the issues and challenges, we will develop a plan that identifies and seizes opportunities to reduce or eliminate barriers to preserving and expanding our housing stock, all while honoring and supporting the essence of what makes Frisco unique.
