In a rare public display of disagreement with his fellow Councilmembers, Council Vice President Will Jawando released a video on his Facebook page objecting to the bill now before the Council to create new housing.
Bill 2-25 would allow commercial office buildings or retail buildings to be repurposed as housing.
Jawando cites a fiscal impact statement estimating a 2.6-billion-dollar deficit for the county within the next 25 years if the bill moves forward. According to Jawando the bill would let corporate developers “off the hook” for creating public housing from commercial buildings. He says the bill will not create enough residential units to justify the cost. And instead, it will draw funds away from priorities like school improvement, road maintenance and public safety.
