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Branson aldermen back two affordable‑housing projects and approve temporary permit‑fee waiver
Summary
The Board adopted a fee‑waiver program to incentivize select low‑income housing projects this year and unanimously passed resolutions supporting Donnelly Crossing (senior, up to 42 units) and Cedar Ridge East (48 family units, 15% workforce set‑aside). Developers noted competitive MHDC timelines and 30‑year deed‑restriction commitments.
The Board of Aldermen voted to waive up to $50,000 in building permit fees for qualifying low‑income projects applied for in 2025 and adopted resolutions of community support for two local housing proposals, citing competitive state funding timelines.
City Attorney Solon and staff described the temporary waiver as a one‑year incentive targeted at 'light tech' projects seeking to attract developers to Branson. Solon told the board the waiver is “not a long term ordinance” and said it is intended to lower upfront costs and make local proposals more competitive for state and federal low‑income housing tax credits.
Developers presented two projects seeking city support. Bob Ring of Ring Property Company asked for a resolution supporting Donnelly Crossing, describing a proposed age‑restricted (55+) building of roughly 40–42 units on about 5–6 acres near Frank Ray Boulevard and Garges Way, with a 30‑year deed restriction if awarded tax credits. Ring said the project would be constructed to last and noted the developer’s intent to begin site work quickly if awarded credits.
Riley Shantz and Debbie Hart described Cedar Ridge East (the agenda title was amended from 'Phase 3' to 'East') as a 48‑unit family development with 2‑ and 3‑bedroom units, 15% of units set aside for workforce households (up to 80% AMI) and service‑enriched programming. Shantz said previous projects paid about $310,000 in total fees across three developments, and the board heard that a $50,000 waiver can be a meaningful incentive during an application cycle where MHDC scoring favors community support.
Board members from across the dais praised the developers’ preparation and unanimously adopted both resolutions and the ordinance to waive qualifying permit fees. Staff will provide letters of support to developers to accompany their MHDC applications and will establish the administrative process described by staff for fee‑waiver consideration.
Next steps: staff will formalize the applicant review process and submit formal letters of support to developers ahead of MHDC deadlines.
