Without discussion, the Cole County Commission signed letters of support for two developments to build affordable workforce housing.
During their regular session Tuesday, commissioners signed a letter to support the Oak Leaf Villas off Oak Leaf Drive. This development would include 42 duplex units in 21 buildings.
They also signed a support letter for Stronghold Landing Development, which would be a 40-unit apartment complex at Trade Center Parkway.
Presiding Commissioner Sam Bushman said they earlier had given their support for Eastland Hills Apartments, a 48-unit apartment complex in the 1800 block of East Miller Street.
The project developers were asking for the commission's support to help them receive Missouri Housing Development Commission tax credits they can use to pay for their developments.
Stronghold Landing will consist of three buildings and a community center, with rent costing $460 or more for a two-bedroom apartment and $750 for a three-bedroom apartment.
Oak Leaf Villas is to have 12 two-bedroom and 30 three-bedroom duplexes. Each duplex includes a garage space and more than 900 square feet of living space. A community building on site is also proposed.
Eastland Hills Apartments will have a mix of market rate value and affordable housing units. Property managers and maintenance will be located on site.
The developers also went before the Jefferson City Council last week to get resolutions of support for each of the projects. The developers did receive resolutions of support from the city but not before councilmembers became divided and the meeting got heated, lasting more than three hours.
Five members voted for each resolution and five voted against. Mayor Carrie Tergin broke the ties with an affirmative vote.
Those councilmembers voting against the resolutions said they felt slighted they hadn't been brought into conversations about the apartment complexes or duplexes. In actuality, the developers proposed apartments on properties that didn't require zoning changes or any other consideration from councilmembers.
See also:
Incoming circuit clerk requests audit of Cole County office
Video of the commission meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah1p60JvKPI.