Board approves tax exemption for 69-unit workforce housing on former school site

Related Northwest developer Steph Condor presented details of a planned workforce housing project on roughly a two-acre parcel at the former high-school site and requested the school board’s approval of a property-tax exemption to make the financing feasible. Condor described the project as three three-story residential buildings with a community building, on-site services and local preference rules for Seaside residents, workers and recently departed residents.

“We are asking today for an approval from the school board for tax exemption,” Condor said, explaining that the deal relies on property-tax exemption to deliver long-term affordable units. She told the board the project will provide 69 units (15 studios, 18 one-bedrooms, 24 two-bedrooms and 12 three-bedrooms), have on-site property management and culturally specific wraparound services and is financed with a combination of low-income housing tax credits and state grants.

Board members discussed how the project’s preference policy will operate and how the nonprofit partner and property management will vet applicants while complying with fair-housing rules. The board also heard that the city had already codified an ordinance and waived certain fees, and that the parcel had a covenant limiting its future use to affordable housing.

A board member moved to adopt Resolution 2 granting the exemption and a second was recorded; the motion passed by voice vote. The board did not provide a roll-call tally in the record; minutes show the motion carried.