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Council approves slightly higher per-home incentive for Cascade Beach housing project
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Summary
After debating fee waivers and precedent concerns, the council approved a compromise increase in the per-home incentive for the Cascade Beach single-family workforce housing project to $5,600 per unit; members debated fee waivers and engineering review costs before the roll-call vote.
Cascade City Council approved supplemental financial support for a Cascade Beach single-family workforce housing project after a lengthy discussion about precedent and developer requests.
Staff reminded the council that at the previous meeting the council had approved $5,000 per home; the developer asked whether the city could also waive building permit and water/sewer connection fees to reach the developer's requested support level. Councilmembers expressed concern that additional fee waivers or a larger subsidy could set a precedent for future developments.
Councilmember (recorded in the meeting) proposed a motion to limit city support to the previously approved $5,000 per home without other compensation, but that motion received no second. Councilmember Delaney then proposed a compromise motion to increase the per-home support by $600 to $5,600 per unit; that motion was seconded and approved by roll call (Weber voted aye; Hush voted nay; Gail and Delaney voted aye). The resolution in the packet also noted planning and zoning had placed a two‑year limit on the developer operating temporarily from a home while seeking a permanent, brick-and-mortar location.
Staff explained the anticipated valuation and tax base effects, saying the houses were expected to be taxed at about "$400,000–$450,000 each," which the staff said would increase the local tax base. Council directed that, once the developer completes preliminary plans, engineer Jake Deaver with MSA would review and provide recommendations on water, sewer, streets, storm and curb-and-gutter work.
The council's approval moves the project forward under the conditions discussed: a per-unit incentive of $5,600 and standard engineering review steps before construction.
