Maple Valley council holds affordable-housing panel; developers, nonprofit and Seattle official weigh tools

Maple Valley held a City Council study session on March 16, 2026, at Lake Wilderness Lodge focused on affordable housing, where a panel of practitioners and regional staff discussed tools and approaches. Deputy Mayor Didem Pierson called the hybrid meeting to order at 6:34 p.m., and the council approved the agenda 6-0 before the panel discussion.

Economic and Community Development Director Doug McIntyre and Community Development Manager Matt Torpey opened the session and posed questions to the panel, which included Kathleen Hosfeld of Homestead CLT, Garrett Michael of Michael Capital and Isaac Horwith of the City of Seattle. The transcript records that the panelists "provided their insight on the topic," but does not include verbatim remarks in the public minutes.

Councilmembers responded to the panel with largely appreciative remarks. Councilmember Les Burberry said he "appreciated the panel discussion," and Councilmember Victoria Schroff thanked staff for organizing the briefing. Councilmember Syd Dawson noted information received through the Seattle-area Cities Association (SCA) related to the King County Transit District and said he would forward details to the council; Dawson also reminded members about an upcoming breakfast at the Community Center. Councilmembers Dana Parnello and John Herbert both thanked staff, with Herbert saying the discussion increased his understanding of the subject. Deputy Mayor Didem Pierson closed the comments by thanking staff for their work.

During public comment, Drew Lang of Maple Valley/Curtis Lang Homes said he found the panel "very beneficial," that he is considering creative approaches for his project and that "there will be no single tool" that solves housing needs. Lang identified himself as a proponent of the MFTE program and acknowledged the program "has drawbacks but also benefits." The minutes do not record additional details of Lang's proposed project or any staff response.

The only formal action recorded in the excerpt was a routine procedural motion at the start of the meeting: Councilmember Victoria Schroff moved to approve the agenda and Councilmember Syd Dawson seconded; the motion carried 6-0. No ordinances, resolutions or policy decisions were voted on during the study session as recorded in these minutes.

The council adjourned the study session at 8:41 p.m. City Clerk Andrew Dacuag announced that the next regular business meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at Lake Wilderness Lodge, with Zoom information to follow.