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Council denies Habitat for Humanity moratorium exception for proposed 672-sq-ft home at 610 W. Cherry
Summary
Council unanimously denied an appeal by Habitat for Humanity (represented by Francis Mazza) seeking an exception to the city's development moratorium for a proposed 672-square-foot, $180,000 affordable home, citing sewer-connection requirements and concern about setting a precedent.
Francis Mazza of Habitat for Humanity asked the Williams City Council to grant an exception to the current development moratorium for a proposed 672-square-foot home at 610 W. Cherry that he estimated would cost about $180,000. Mazza referenced the City's 2023 Housing Needs Assessment to note approximately 400 renter households are cost-burdened and that 118 households pay more than 50% of income toward housing, arguing the small home could serve as a demonstration project for teachers, first responders and health-care workers.
Mayor Don Dent and other councilmembers said they support affordable housing but opposed making an exception while the moratorium is in effect. The mayor explained that any legal residence must connect to the sewer system and therefore is subject to the moratorium; he warned that granting a single exception could create precedent and generate further requests before the city's wastewater capacity is fully known. After discussion, Councilmember Edes moved and Councilmember McNelly seconded a motion to deny the moratorium appeal; the motion passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the vote preserves the moratorium's restriction on new sewer-connected residences while underscoring affordability pressures in Williams; proponents asked the council to consider demonstration projects but the council prioritized system capacity and precedent concerns.
