Affordable housing in NW could expand

The town board unanimously authorized that two town-owned lots off Odell and Elizabeth streets—parcels 1404385 and 1403630, respectively, with combined size of 0.24 acres—be conveyed at no cost to the NWHA.

In exchange, the NWHA gave the town a 0.16-acre parking lot at the corner of C Street and Gordon Avenue (parcel 1403620), adjacent to the Benson Blevins & Associates accounting firm. The NWHA board approved the exchange prior to Thursday.

“This is a worthy exchange because the town is in need of parking” and more affordable housing is needed, said Daniel Johnson, the town’s attorney, during the board’s bi-monthly regular meeting at town hall.

According to town minutes, Mary Bauguess, executive director of the NWHA, asked the town in March 2022 if the properties could be acquired, and the board discussed this in closed session on Dec. 6, 2022.

The NWHA currently manages the income-based-rent apartments of Skyview Village and Valley Glade off Odell Street and Riverview Heights off Hickory Street.

Other matters

Also on Thursday, the board:

• announced the hiring of David Bore as the town’s new public utilities manager;

• proclaimed 2023 as the “Year of the Trails;”

• set a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 concerning the proposed new downtown social district; and

• approved via 4-1 vote (with Commissioner Andrew Palmer opposed) temporary RV and primitive camping in all zoning districts, in anticipation of the NASCAR All-Star Race week in May 2023.