Homes, growth goals collide

Lower-priced units would get exemptions under new bill

"We have to somehow reduce the complexity," Jud Malone told the council during his testimony. Malone, who has represented developers of the Aladdin project at past hearings on other bills, said he spoke Monday as an affordable-housing advocate, not a paid consultant.

"We think what we're supporting is to simplify the process," said Roy Appletree, who spoke for the Full Spectrum Housing Coalition, an umbrella alliance of housing advocates.

League of Women Voters co-President Grace Kubofcik also suggested an amendment to make sure the exemption is limited to zones where MIHU units are required by county law.

COUNCIL BILL 62

Highlights:

* Exempts Moderate Income Housing Units (MIHU) from the county's housing allocation system of growth controls

* If an exemption is granted, no more than one-third of the project's total units can be MIHU

* Any development granted an exemption remains subject to the Adequate Public Facility Ordinance, which delays building near crowded schools or intersections.

Sponsors: Calvin Ball, Mary Kay Sigaty and Jenn Terassa, all Democrats.

What's next: Council work session, 4:30 p.m. Monday at school board headquarters.