Housing Ordinance Defeated

The Avalon City Council voted 3 to 2 against adopting an ordinance that would have required developers of new commercial projects to provide housing for half of their employees.

Council members Hal Host, Paul Puma and Irene Strobel voted against final adoption of the ordinance. The vote reversed a 4-1 decision by the council to adopt the ordinance at its introduction two weeks ago.

Instead, while a new ordinance is being drafted, the council voted unanimously Tuesday to direct the Planning Commission to advise developers that they will be required to build low- and moderate-income employee housing after the new housing ordinance is approved, City Clerk Shirley Davy said.

The defeated ordinance would have required new commercial developments with 10 or more employees to provide housing for 50% of those employees during the peak tourist season in August.

During a public hearing Tuesday, however, residents and council members expressed concern about the wording of the ordinance and argued that the ordinance did not set housing requirements for existing businesses that may expand in the future.

The council, which will draw up the new ordinance, set a 60-day deadline to come up with a new draft and requested that public comment be submitted in writing, Davy said.