Council moves to prioritize permits for affordable housing and daycare projects

On April 7 the council advanced a substitute ordinance (BL2026‑1315) to create a formal permit‑prioritization program in Metro code that gives expedited review and prioritized inspections to qualifying affordable housing projects and, as added in the substitute, to daycare development projects.

Sponsor Councilmember Capp said the substitute incorporates suggestions from the housing division to make eligibility clearer and predictable and to align department reviews. Councilmember Allen successfully added language to prioritize inspections as well as plan review. Committee chairs reported unanimous or strong committee support across multiple committees (Planning & Zoning, Transportation, Public Health & Safety, Government Operations) after the substitute and limited amendments.

Supporters framed the change as a modest, targeted tool to speed projects that increase affordable housing supply and childcare capacity, reduce development uncertainty, and lower holding costs. The measure passed its second of three readings as substituted and amended and will return for a final vote at a later meeting.