The Wildwood master-plan committee voted to remove the draft affordability policy identified as policy 10 after a lengthy discussion in which members questioned whether the city could mandate or meaningfully influence housing affordability.

Why it matters: The policy addressed housing affordability and potential tools to diversify housing types. Committee members said the term “affordable” needed a clear definition and that the city has limited tools to change market-driven housing costs without subsidies or broader regional efforts.

During debate, several members said the proposal was too broad. Crystal Pick, a committee member, said the draft was “too broad for us to consider” and urged a narrower approach. A motion to remove the policy was made by a committee member identified in the transcript as Vicky; the motion was seconded and carried by roll-call vote.

Committee members raised practical questions: whether the policy would target rental or for-sale housing, how the city would define affordability (several speakers noted that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordable housing as housing that costs no more than 30% of gross household income), and whether the city could require inclusionary zoning or offer sufficient incentives to attract developers.

Staff and committee members described existing tools: accessory-dwelling units are already an allowed option in town-center and some zoning districts; the committee discussed inclusionary zoning examples from neighboring Saint Charles County where municipalities pair set-asides with density bonuses. Staff said Wildwood currently has no inclusionary-zoning requirement.

The motion to remove policy 10 passed. Staff noted that the committee can continue to examine targeted mechanisms — such as permitting accessory units, exploring inclusionary zoning for defined places, or looking at incentives — but the specific draft policy was withdrawn.

Closing: Committee members asked staff to return with narrower, implementable options and clarified that any future policy should define affordability metrics and propose concrete incentives or geographic targeting.