LOWELL — The footprint of University of Massachusetts Lowell will likely continue to grow in coming years, but in a way that doesn’t take properties off the city’s tax rolls, Chancellor Jacquie Moloney told city councilors Tuesday night.

“Going forward we expect the university … would have very few if any acquisitions,” she said. “We’re focused right now on leasing and looking at properties.”

Moloney — who prefaced the statement by calling City Manager Eileen Donoghue “a very tough negotiator” — said the university is currently leasing the Cross River Center at 1001 Pawtucket Boulevard and the entire Innovation Hub at 110 Canal St. She said UMass Lowell also plans to expand through private-public partnerships, similar to the residence hall Riverview Suites.

“We right now have out a feasibility study to do a similar (private public partnership) to expand the Tsongas Center,” Moloney said. “So again this will all result in more tax revenue for the city.”

Donoghue said this type of expansion is a “win-win” for the university and city.

“We want to see the university grow and yet at the same time we want to be sensitive to our tax base,” Donoghue said. “And I do want to credit Chacellor Moloney because she has been completely cooperative in working with the city in looking at potential expansion projects and keeping in mind, rather than acquiring, but renting and keeping property on the tax rolls. That’s very important and much appreciated.”

The university’s holdings and its effect on property tax revenue has at times been a sticking point between the city and UMass Lowell. In 2016, city officials expressed frustration the university isn’t paying more for city services. The issue came to a head when UMass Lowell announced plans to purchase the Perkins Park housing development.

In 2013, the city and UMass Lowell settled a threatened lawsuit over property taxes on the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center. After arguing it shouldn’t have to pay taxes because it’s a non-profit entity, the university eventually agreed to pay $60,000 a year into the city’s Community Improvement Fund, plus $12,000 in a general payment.

This week Councilor Rodney Elliott asked whether the university requires any more housing and referenced a development he said has caused “constant issue.” Both councilors and university officials have been critical of Edge Merrimack River, a project described as a private dormitory, even before it opened. This year, councilors learned about 30 percent of residents are not students and questioned the number of calls to the building for emergency services.

Moloney said the university is approached frequently by private developers, but it does not expect to expand housing for students.

“We know we do not need additional housing,” she said. “We do not plan to build additional housing or acquire any additional housing. Our growth will not be in the undergraduate programs, which is traditionally where housing is.”

She said the UMass Lowell is also expanding co-op programs, which take students off campus reducing the need for on campus housing.

Moloney’s comments were made in a presentation to the City Council celebrating the university’s 125 year history and partnership with the city.

Also on Tuesday, City Council:

Heard John Power describe the Lowell Fire Department’s effective response to a fire at the Cross River Center

Scheduled three interviews for the city auditor’s position for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

Scheduled the appointment of a new member to the Greater Lowell Technical School Committee for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

Heard a motion response about the revival of the “adopt an island” program

Heard a motion response about transportation services for seniors

Heard a motion response on efforts for election system outreach

Voted to authorize the city manager to execute a non-binding preliminary agreement with Lowell National Historical Park

Motions