Commission recommends ULDC change to let some fully restricted for‑sale projects meet workforce housing obligations

County planning staff presented a board‑directed amendment to Article 5 of the Unified Land Development Code that would permit limited exceptions for workforce housing obligations in for‑sale projects that are 100% restricted by external funding or ownership structures (for example, community land trusts or some nonprofit developments).

Maria Bello of the planning division said the proposed change — intended to address a recurring problem for nonprofit for‑sale developers who cannot provide an unrestricted unit on site — would allow a for‑sale unit restricted at a workforce level equal to or more stringent than county requirements to meet the county obligation when certain conditions are met. The amendment was described as narrowly targeted, applying only to for‑sale projects that are 100% restricted due to funding or land‑trust structures; the county already has two other workforce exceptions (the builder exchange mechanism and exceptions for municipal down‑payment assistance).

Staff told commissioners the for‑sale units would still be certified and monitored by the county’s housing and economic development staff and that compliance would be enforced for a 15‑year affordability period. Commissioners voted to find the ULDC revision consistent with the comprehensive plan and recommended approval; the zoning commission serving as the land‑development regulation commission recorded both motions and will forward the item to the Board of County Commissioners for adoption (first reading scheduled in March 2026).