During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the proposed changes to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) aimed at increasing affordable housing units in the community. Key points included the potential adjustment of on-site affordable unit requirements and the need for modernizing zoning laws to better support housing supply.

One of the main proposals discussed was the increase of the on-site affordable unit requirement from 20% to a more nuanced structure, where the affordable share would be 4% in Area A and 2% in Area B. Several participants expressed strong support for enhancing bonuses for developers who include on-site affordable units, arguing that these incentives could effectively stimulate both density and affordability in housing.

A notable perspective shared during the meeting was the critique of current zoning laws, which some attendees believe have contributed to a constrained housing market. The conversation highlighted the importance of coupling any IHO revisions with necessary zoning changes to facilitate the development of smaller projects, particularly those that fall within the \"missing middle\" category—developments that typically consist of 4 to 6 units.

The discussion also touched on the arbitrary nature of parking minimums, with suggestions to reduce these requirements for affordable units. Participants noted that excessive parking mandates often detract from the overall appeal of developments, as seen in a previous project that failed due to its lack of commercial space on the ground floor, which was sacrificed for parking.

As the meeting concluded, there was a consensus on the need for creative solutions and robust incentives to encourage developers to include affordable units in their projects. The introduction of new property tax incentives at the county level was also mentioned as a potential game-changer, providing developers with additional financial motivation to prioritize affordable housing in their plans. The discussions will continue as the government seeks to refine its approach to housing affordability and development in the community.