Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Affordable Housing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Jackson council directs staff to draft SPET-backed deal for Nelson Drive housing; vote 4–1
Summary
After hours of public comment and staff presentations, the council directed staff to draft an agreement to allocate SPET funds to the Community Housing Trust’s Nelson Drive project, securing rights to lease or rent units for town employees; the motion passed 4–1 with conditions including options if the Forest Service permit terms change.
The Jackson Town Council on Dec. 15 voted to direct staff to draft an agreement allocating Special Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) funds toward the Community Housing Trust’s Nelson Drive rental project, a plan the trust says would deliver deed-restricted housing for local employees.
"The capital gap for each unit is $675,000," said Anne Crystal of the Community Housing Trust, describing the project’s financing and the trust’s $12.8 million in philanthropic commitments. Crystal told the council the project leverages free land and said the trust could proceed with a smaller initial build if county participation lagged.
Public comment was extensive and deeply divided. Supporters — including local hockey and nonprofit leaders and housing advocates — said the project would house essential workers, protect public investment and help keep employees in the community. "Housing isn't an abstract policy issue in this community," Claire Stone of Shelter JH said, urging councilors to get the best public value for SPET dollars.
Opponents and nearby residents expressed environmental and infrastructure concerns. Speakers questioned precedent for using administratively zoned federal land, potential water impacts, traffic and whether the town should demand stronger terms or ownership rather than lease rights.
Council discussion focused on public value, unit types, price per square foot, timing and the risk that one public partner (the county) might not fund the same package. Councilors considered options ranging from buying fewer rights now to securing six rights of first refusal. Councilor discussion repeatedly returned to stewardship of limited SPET dollars and the town’s fiduciary role.
The motion approved by council directed staff to draft an agreement allocating up to $4,050,000 from the 2022 SPET ballot initiative to the Housing Trust to secure rights to lease six units for 30 years at the Nelson Drive project, subject to conditions including (1) automatic extension tied to any federal special-use-permit extension and (2) replacement rights (equal number of ownership units) if the federal permit is not extended. The motion included an intent that staff seek contract language to limit the town’s exposure if litigation affects the project. The measure passed 4–1.
What's next: Staff will draft the agreement language and return to council with specific contract terms and protections, and the council asked staff to seek philanthropic or partnering arrangements that reduce the town’s maximum exposure.
