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03/25/2009: "Rentals Not Major Part Of Affordable Housing Element Of Comp Plan"

An Ordinance Amending the Housing Element and appendixes to the Comprehensive Plan was held by the County Council on Tuesday, but was extended to March 31st.

When Councilman Bob Myhr asked why the rental section had been struck out of the proposed changes to the ordinance, it became clear to the public in attendance that the County had failed to make available the proposed ordinance to the public in the same form the Council had.

The ordinance posted on the county web site did not contain the changes recommended to the Council by the planning department. The strike-outs and additions were not shown.

The problem was pointed out to the Council, and has since been fixed. The correct version can now be down loaded by clicking Here.


Myhr is not the only one who believes that rental units are, or can be, an important part of solving affordable housing needs in San Juan County. When the SJC Planning Commission reviewed and made their recommendations, Commissioner Susan Dehlendorf told fellow commission members that not everyone has to own a home, that renting can also be a solution to housing.

Her suggestion was not met with an enthusiastic response, and somewhere along the way as the draft traveled to the county council, the section on rentals was struck out of the proposed draft.

Myhr said that as a matter of fact, rental housing is not noted anywhere in the County housing policies; but County Planner Colin Maycock said there was reference to rentals in draft (Section 5.2.B. #22), to "Encourage the design, construction and maintenance of quality affordable rental units to serve long term residents of various family sizes and income levels." One section that was struck was "Allow and encourage the rental of accessory dwelling units on a long-term basis to provide opportunity for affordable housing." There was no explanation presented for that strike out.

Myhr responded that while there was a reference, "there is no emphasis or clear indication that rental properties could substantially help address the housing issue. I think that there needs to be more focus the role that rentals and could play and policies that would support it;" and added "I think that there needs to be more focus the role that rentals and could play and policies that would support it.

Myhr wants it put back in, or at least addressed when the council continues the public hearing on the 31st of March. Now that the public has access to what is being proposed to be removed and added to the Housing Element of the Comprehensive Plan, there may be additional public testimony on the topic when the draft is taken up again at the 10:20 continued hearing on Tuesday (Council Hearing Room) the 31st.