Affordable housing ordinance afoot

A draft of the Blaine County Community Housing Planned Unit Development Ordinance last week could be the first step for the Wood River Valley in a game of catch up.

Community housing projects, "shall promote economic and social diversity through the provision of housing for moderate and lower-income households," states the draft read by Blaine County Housing Authority director Karl Fulmer.

Many other western resort towns--namely Park City, Utah, Jackson, Wyo., and Aspen, Vail and Steamboat, Colorado--already have created avenues to give the community less-costly living alternatives.

"I think we as a community are probably lagging behind other Rocky Mountain resorts," Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commissioner Theresa Comber said.

Basically, the face of the Blaine County Community Housing Planned Unit Development Ordinance will detail standards to which a developer must adhere to win the increased housing density necessary to make an affordable housing project work.

The community housing ordinance would allow higher densities if the developer submits to certain cost restrictions and ownership guidelines.

Fulmer provided the housing authority’s income guidelines for those looking to enter the affordable housing arena.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Blaine County median income statistics would determine qualification levels for buyers and selling prices for developers.

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Commercial uses in community housing projects were also explored.

Called "neighborhood services," the draft offers "neighborhood groceries, professional service offices and small café spaces (under 1,000 sq. ft.)," as examples.

Gasoline could not be sold outside cities’ "areas of impact."

Blaine County Planning and zoning member Tom Bowman said including commercial ventures in affordable housing projects was a "shaky" proposal, even if they could provide certain conveniences to residents.

"If the county wants commercial outside of the city centers, it shouldn’t tack it on to the community housing PUD," Bowman said. "It should stand on its own."