BIO

Chloe Kauffman is a 3rd-year student at Florida State University (FSU) and is expected to graduate in Spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. After graduating, she will pursue a Master of Science in Applied Economics beginning in Fall 2023. At FSU, she serves as the academic chair for College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Student Leadership Council and writes for FSView & Florida Flambeau. Chloe started her career in policy in the Summer of 2022 when she began working as a Policy Research Intern for the James Madison Institute. She interns with the DeVoe L. Moore Center, where she has been researching the effect of height ordinances on housing prices. In the Spring of 2023, Chloe began a new internship with the Florida Senate Committee on Finance and Tax for the 2023 Florida Legislative Session. Chloe is very excited to continue her academic and professional pursuits and plans to pursue a career in economic forecasting.

Height Restrictions on Student Housing: A Case Study of Tallahassee, Florida.

Abstract

Housing affordability and insecurity for college students is a grave issue that has often been ignored. Investigating zoning policies in popular neighborhoods for students may help determine how to effectively increase housing affordability. The University Village zoning district, commonly referred to as CollegeTown, is a popular, high-traffic neighborhood for college students at Florida State University and is an ideal case study for analyzing the relationship between building height restrictions and housing unaffordability. The research asks, “Are zoning-related height restrictions barriers to affordable housing? The researcher will determine the effectiveness of the height ordinance by reviewing planning literature, analyzing publicly accessible local building permits, and conducting an observational audit of the district. Preliminary findings indicate that zoning-related height restrictions are uniquely low. From the City’s survey of 40 student housing developments, the average height of housing complexes is 12 stories well below the current height caps. In terms of public policy recommendations, increasing the height maximum will increase the housing supply and promote housing affordability for Tallahassee students. Revising the zoning regulations up to 17 stories would maintain the “urban fabric” of the area, which is constrained by the Florida Department of Education building and the Doak Campbell Stadium, while also prioritizing housing affordability for students.

Keywords: CollegeTown, Economics, Urban Planning, Tallahassee, Land-Use