Commissioners continue decision on $32,000 building-fee waiver for affordable housing application to Sept. 16

Chaffee Housing Authority on Tuesday requested a waiver of up to $32,000 in building and processing fees for a proposed 33-unit affordable apartment project, but the board continued the matter to its Sept. 16 meeting.

Paul Andrews, a project partner, said the waiver would strengthen the project's application for a $1.6 million DOLA grant by demonstrating local financial support; the project has secured other state funding under Proposition 123 and additional low-interest support.

Commissioners said they wanted time to develop a consistent policy approach for fee-waiver requests and to ensure the county could respond within the competitive grant window if appropriate. The applicant said the DOLA scoring phase runs over the next two weeks and requested prompt consideration; commissioners agreed to continue the fee-waiver decision to Sept. 16 so staff can prepare a recommendation.

Why this matters: Local fee waivers can improve the financial feasibility of affordable housing projects and strengthen grant competitiveness. Commissioners sought a consistent framework to evaluate future requests.

Next steps: Staff to prepare a recommendation and any proposed policy framework; the board will reconsider the waiver on Sept. 16.