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Council approves two impact-fee waivers for affordable housing; policy interpretation prompts debate
Summary
Moab Council approved impact-fee waivers for Amasa Apartments (phase 1) and Cooperative 1581 Phase 1 LLC after debate about applying averaging vs. per-unit tiering in the new policy; the first passed with council support and the second passed 4–1 (Miles opposed). Councilors called for policy refinement to prioritize deeper affordability.
The Moab City Council voted March 10 to approve two impact-fee waivers under the city's recently adopted Affordable Housing Partnership Policy.
Staff recommended a $43,750 waiver for Amasa Apartments (phase 1). Council debate focused on how the policy's tiers and averaging provisions should be interpreted: one council member recommended a per-unit calculation that assigns larger waivers to the lowest-income units rather than a straight average. The council ultimately approved the waiver with the condition that the applicant record required restrictive covenants prior to the issuance of waivers or credits.
The council then considered a significantly larger request from Cooperative 1581 Phase 1 LLC (144 units). Staff recommended approval under the policy and noted the applicant had recorded a 50-year deed restriction required by the program. Council debate again turned to implementation details and equity: one councilor argued the Wahoo housing fund might be better used for down-payment assistance or other direct support for local households rather than waiving impact fees for large rental projects. After discussion, the council approved the cooperative's waiver on a 4–1 roll-call vote; Council Member Miles cast the sole dissenting vote.
Staff and several councilors said the council will revisit and refine the policy language to clarify averaging, per-unit calculation and incentives for deeper affordability tiers. Staff emphasized that both applicants met the established program criteria and had recorded the deed restrictions required to secure the waivers.
Votes and procedural notes: the consent agenda earlier in the meeting passed 5–0. The Amasa waiver motion was approved by majority; Cooperative 1581 passed on a 4–1 roll-call (Miles opposed).
