Public hearing held on Tapestry low-income rental project; presenter seeks tax exemption

The Yellowstone County Board of County Commissioners opened a public hearing Jan. 24 on the proposed Tapestry apartments, a 27-unit low-income rental project presented by Community Leadership Development (CLD).

Caleb Perdue, speaking for CLD, described the group as a Christian community development organization with a four-decade history in Billings and said the Tapestry project would offer workforce housing targeted at households earning 40 to 60 percent of the area median income, with rents controlled for more than 40 years. "Tapestry will be low income housing that will provide housing for our workforce," Perdue said.

During public comment, Don Sturhan — who said he has 20 years of experience in development and financing of low-income housing across several states — told commissioners he "support[s] this project wholeheartedly" and praised CLD’s professionalism. After public comment the board closed the hearing and took no immediate action; the presentation and testimony were entered into the record for the permitting and tax-exemption processes.

No specific tax-exemption decision was made at the meeting; the hearing served to gather public input and allow staff and officials to record concerns or support as the project proceeds through applicable review processes.