Commissioners press staff to better integrate affordable‑housing advocates into code review

Commissioner Ashcraft told staff Oct. 1 that, while the stakeholder group included home builders and trades, he did not see affordable‑housing advocates and consumer representatives "deeply integrated" into the process and asked for more outreach before the board takes final action.

"I would have hoped, and maybe there's still time, to bring in affordable housing advocates, buyers, consumers, not just the trades and developers," Ashcraft said, asking staff to describe how those perspectives were solicited.

Staff responded that the stakeholders included some homeowners and that the county’s recent comprehensive‑plan amendments and land‑use work are intended to create flexibility to support missing‑middle housing in fringe areas. Commissioners said they want clearer documentation of outreach and any recommended mitigations for affordability impacts to accompany the Oct. 22 packet.