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Council lowers income threshold for inclusionary zoning units in a vote to expand affordability options
Summary
The council approved an amendment to the zoning bylaw giving developers an option to deliver fewer deed-restricted units at a lower area-median-income (60% AMI) instead of more units at 80% AMI. The ordinance passed 10-1.
The Everett City Council voted to amend the city—ode on inclusionary zoning, giving developers an alternate option to provide deed-restricted affordable units at a lower income threshold.
Under current law, projects with 10 or more units must set aside 15% of units as affordable at 80% of area median income (AMI). The ordinance the council adopted allows developers an alternate path: provide a smaller share of units (10% of units) deed-restricted at 60% AMI instead of 15% at 80% AMI. Sponsors said the change is intended to produce more deeply affordable units for Everett residents and to reflect local affordability challenges.
Why it matters: The change is intended to increase the number of units affordable to lower-income Everett households by allowing developers to opt for fewer but deeper-affordability units. Sponsors and supporters said even modest monthly savings for renters can be meaningful. Opponents warned the change could encourage developers to provide fewer overall affordable units or reshape proposals to avoid larger set-asides.
Council debate and votes - Sponsors explained the amendment does not create new housing or require development; rather it changes how the city—alculates affordability for required set-asides on new projects of 10 or more units. - Critics said the revision leaves discretion to developers and warned approval boards could allow smaller projects or altered designs to avoid delivering more units. - Vote: The council passed the ordinance by an 10-1 roll call.
Ending: The amendment takes effect as a change to the zoning ordinance; sponsors said it is an effort to make required affordable units more accessible to lower-income Everett households and asked planning staff to track outcomes.
