Off Piste

It seems that Bend’s city councilors did the right thing Wednesday night — sort of — in regard to the affordable housing fee attached to new building permits.
Some background: Any builder seeking to do what they do, must get a building permit. Since 2006, a fee has been attached to the permit (one-third of 1 percent of permit valuation) that would benefit Bend’s affordable housing, a project that has raised about 2.7 million dollars. Currently, construction is ongoing in the “Shady Pines” neighborhood on Parrell Road (near China Hat Road and just east of Highway 97) where nine green-build houses are planned to provide for young, working families.
Last night, a compromise was reached between a divided council at the Bend city council meeting. At one point, there were four options on the table, but the basic decision to be made was do we A) continue the program as is B) continue the program but reduce the fee rate, meaning less money for affordable housing C) scrap the plan, which would only take one dissenting vote (a vote which Kathie Eckman seemed damn close to making).