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Council member proposes fee waivers, inclusionary zoning and a housing subsidy to boost affordability
Summary
Council member Chris Carlson urged the council to prioritize housing affordability in 2026, proposing inclusionary zoning, multifamily tax exemptions, fee reductions or amortizations, and a potential city-driven affordable housing subsidy program.
At the Langley special meeting, Council member Chris Carlson urged council to make housing affordability a top priority, pointing to tools already in the staff work plan and several additional measures he added to his draft: inclusionary zoning, a multifamily tax exemption, fee reductions or waivers for affordable projects, and evaluating revenue sources to build an affordable housing subsidy program.
"Within affordability, I think housing is top of the list," Carlson said. He suggested talking with the South Whidbey School District about visioning at the community center and flagged utilities—sewer and stormwater rate studies already in the staff work plan—as a key cost driver for housing affordability. Council members discussed sequencing and the need to align staff capacity with proposed priorities before advancing ordinance or programmatic actions.
Speakers: Chris Carlson; other council members.
