[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6083580,"mediaKeyId","2932878-c8c2580765c0f7c62df2dd8308acf089","parentId",2932878,"title","Shelton staff propose multifamily tax exemption, two residential targeted areas to spur housing","audioSeconds",3065,"startMs",2034000,"endMs",5099000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2932878-c8c2580765c0f7c62df2dd8308acf089&start=2034&end=5099","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2932878-c8c2580765c0f7c62df2dd8308acf089/thumbnail_2034000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083580/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Shelton-staff-propose-multifamily-tax-exemption-two-residential-targeted-areas-to-spur-housing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083580-cb16be50e0488375551c7935d5c15872/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157260&Signature=kcfFhhWIZJl5S63NqT0ZqTFJSqiZeSUA~zb7wLKJoPwNnSpTozFlNnTUUaABh5aJl1kFofxtDaCRwHqdyNNTcDwSaxm7MC0hmwBtLWSJHaeHfnKLntAzv-U~gY4nFFS9ABtE7o5mgfClqDXb3zWaOO6T2T-lmqKN5t3ZVqaLvzZ-KKN6xdGbhaaetady0hgRePeZpy6x1Fz4jwfz-NcUSMTx07x0bgDtWv7nMsSPfWiyV2CFd9OSwE3RV8mLFCI1qrSId11OntSWT3uXZZMj98YI2UozY0v45I6XszZXyJ1froYQ7ljrYCZpwZ711dh-KK1ZMOkIiRw1rdmzpzbkuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Shelton City, WA","date","2025-04-09T18:35:56.367Z","article","Economic Development Director Jay Hill presented a draft multifamily housing property tax exemption (MTE) ordinance and two proposed residential targeted areas during the April 8 Shelton City Council study session, describing how the tool could incentivize rental development and deed‑restricted affordable units.

Hill said the city is considering two initial residential targeted areas (RTAs): a downtown RTA and an area near the Wallace Neyland interchange and the Walmart corridor (temporarily named in the session). Under state law Hill cited (RCW discussion and the MTE statute), the proposed MTE would be limited to properties inside designated RTAs. The draft ties the length of an exemption to affordability commitments: an eight‑year exemption tied to affordability and a 12‑year exemption that requires deeper levels of affordable units in exchange for a longer tax exemption.

Hill described key draft elements: eligibility limited to projects creating at least 10 new dwelling units; a requirement that at least 50% of the building’s space be for permanent residential occupancy (not transient uses); and affordability thresholds for years of exemption. He explained staff’s current proposal that an eight‑year exemption require a baseline share of units at area‑median income (AMI) and that the 12‑year exemption include additional units at 60% AMI, with deed‑restricted covenants enforced by the city for the required units. Hill said only the city’s portion of property tax can be exempted under state law.

Hill and councilmembers discussed how the MTE pairs with zoning changes the comprehensive plan process is proposing: a new multifamily zone that would allow by‑right development where development standards are met (avoiding the current planned‑development/PUD public‑hearing process), and the RTAs would be the geographically eligible areas for the MTE. Hill said the RTAs could be tailored — downtown and the Wallace/Walmart area were proposed initially, and staff could add additional RTAs such as areas near Peacock Ridge or Shell Springs depending on council direction and suitability.

Councilmembers raised affordability tool options that could work alongside the MTE, including density bonuses, mandatory inclusionary requirements, community land trusts and local source‑of‑income protections; Hill said staff would return with a prioritized list of tools. On administration, Hill said the city would be responsible for holding and monitoring affordability covenants and that the program requires auditing and staff time; he asked whether the council wanted a fee to cover application and monitoring costs, suggesting cost recovery as an appropriate approach.

No ordinance vote occurred; Hill said he will “work on polishing this up” and bring a refined ordinance, fee recommendation and maps of proposed RTAs back to council for formal consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Study Session 20250408 Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At a study session April 8, Economic Development Director Jay Hill reviewed a draft multifamily property tax exemption ordinance and two proposed residential targeted areas (downtown and a Wallace‑Walmart corridor), describing eligibility criteria, affordability requirements and next steps for council review.","taxTitle","Shelton, Mason County, Washington","taxId",56703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083585,"Shelton staff outline revised timeline, growth alternatives for comprehensive plan update",1053,487000,1540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2932878-c8c2580765c0f7c62df2dd8308acf089&start=487&end=1540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2932878-c8c2580765c0f7c62df2dd8308acf089/thumbnail_487000.jpg","/articles/6083585/Shelton/Mason-County/Washington/Shelton-staff-outline-revised-timeline-growth-alternatives-for-comprehensive-plan-update","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083585-257e40dc55f36f27721a2b8ec5dd2060/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157260&Signature=FRkgaqoeHzsOrw-ZFt~K5IaJGqeuhHzbmcHzc8G-bN1QRZNssuwUNgkJEmkFrvB5u5Hnus5U-xnWy0MTlPI3Ry9Him1dHnta5MkridBB9dsBMrXybcC3i0JnHZBTF2lTMSbNZmkWaUHgN2h0NkNowS4mOJSkpxs1YmafJgb-w~SZQbWrLu69R3-73yrhjcHBkpU26aXpy2qPFW0xMVgxzGyGo5P1dAbTvc53Gh8UgjoSqedJYflmjSoK-0cHkniJjAJ1oZeyElWnTGLYEa8zZR~7tu3xGwo340lgdBHfwrCwRibhvyOpwY4jal2lciayUy8fbk11yd9f7u~hUZWkog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a study session April 8, Shelton Economic Development Director Jay Hill told the City Council the city has a six‑month extension from the state to complete a principal draft of its comprehensive plan and must finish work needed to secure reimbursable grant funding.

Hill said the state legislature granted Shelton a six‑month extension and that the city must submit a “principal draft” to the Washington State Department of Commerce to be reimbursed for consultant work. “We have until December 31 to have it adopted,” Hill said, noting the city plans council adoption on Nov. 18 but has built in time for Commerce’s 60‑day review and any required adjustments.

The principal draft and several supporting elements are being prepared by a steering committee and consultants. Hill described two broad alternatives the city is analyzing: a baseline “no action” scenario and a concentrated growth scenario that centers housing growth in defined residential targeted areas. For the baseline, Hill said the analysis projects growth of “5,850 people…an increase of 2,270 housing units.” For the concentrated alternative he cited a projected increase of “7,401 people” and observed the draft still needs environmental and traffic analyses before a preferred alternative is chosen.

Hill said the update must incorporate recent state legislation including middle‑housing requirements (HB 1181, referenced in the session) and changes tied to climate and transportation metrics. He said the comprehensive plan will also integrate separate transportation, hazard/resilience (climate) and capital facilities work already under way; those subplans feed into the comprehensive plan’s land‑use and transportation chapters.

Hill outlined a public and council review schedule: the steering committee will finish principal drafting in late spring/early summer, the city will hold two joint work sessions with the council and steering committee in August, and the council will publish a notice of intent to adopt in mid‑September before submission to Commerce for review. Hill said Commerce’s 60‑day review will assess compliance with mandatory elements and state law; the city expects to receive Commerce comments well before the end of that period.

Councilmembers asked about planning horizons and grant timing; Hill replied the comprehensive plan is a 20‑year plan with overlapping subcomponent schedules (water, sewer, parks) that are adopted on their own timetables. He also said an environmental impact statement (EIS) will analyze traffic, utilities, schools and other impacts for the alternatives and for a no‑action baseline.

Hill emphasized that the plan will include an implementation chapter with an action matrix identifying priorities, responsible parties and timelines. He said that implementation detail is important for grant eligibility: “If you don't have it in here and we go to ask for a grant, they're gonna say, why isn't it in your comp plan?” Hill said.

The council did not take formal action during the study session; Hill said staff will continue drafting, coordinate with Mason County on urban growth area matters, and return with the principal draft and scheduled work sessions for council consideration.","Economic development director Jay Hill told the Shelton City Council on April 8 that the city has a six‑month extension to finish its comprehensive plan principal draft, and described two growth alternatives and an environmental review schedule ahead of planned council adoption this fall.","actionData","errors"]

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Shelton staff propose multifamily tax exemption, two residential targeted areas to spur housing

Shelton staff outline revised timeline, growth alternatives for comprehensive plan update