Ordinance Aimed at Builders Dropped

The Avalon City Council has voted down a proposal to require builders of new commercial projects to provide housing for half of their workers.

The 3-2 vote reversed an earlier decision by the council to adopt the ordinance when it was introduced two weeks ago.

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

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