Metro Council Gives OK For Planning Commission To Develop Affordable Housing Plan

 Metro Nashville is a step closer to requiring developers to do something many of them don’t want to — set aside a certain number of housing units that would be more affordable.

The bill that passed on the third and final reading Tuesday night really only directs the city’s planning department to hire a consultant to flesh out an affordable housing plan.

But it specifically suggests that developers be required to hold down the prices on 14 percent of the homes and condos in a given project. Several council members resisted what they consider a mandate, but Burkley Allen argued otherwise.

“I support this not because I think it has a mandate for anything,” said Allen. “It allows the flexibility that we need and it very specifically says why we need to be focused on affordable housing and the many questions that we have to look at.”

The Planning Department is expected to hold public meetings on the affordable housing regulations and return to the Metro Council in six months for a final sign-off.