Regulation flexibility is the law of the land in Langley, at least when it comes to new affordable housing.

The Langley City Council unanimously approved a slightly modified affordable housing ordinance that had expired the past year at it’s regular meeting Monday. It was utilized by the Upper Langley Housing Community, a 16-lot development on about one acre at the edge of city limits on Al Anderson Avenue near the Langley-Woodmen Cemetery.

The development recently received final plat approval, allowing for the sale of lots. Deed restrictions limit each lot’s value increase in 10-year, .5 percent increases, with the intent of keeping the property affordable. Home sizes are restricted to no more than 975-square feet on 2,000-square-feet lots. Two of the development partners, who are also members of Langley citizen boards, attended the council meeting to share what they learned as first-time developers taking advantage of the ordinance.

“It’s often really hard for a city to understand regulatory flexibility for an official responsible for enforcing code,” said Cary Peterson, one of the Upper Langley development partners.

“There were some unnecessary costs to the city and to us because we had to go over some things again,” she added.

Development partner Christy Korrow thanked the city for “hand holding” the first-time developers through the permit process and land use applications. Some of the waivers that applied to Upper Langley, because it was an affordable housing project, included not being required to extend sewer or water services across the entire length of the property and not being required to pave or provide as much on-site parking, reducing the paving costs.

“The beauty of the ordinance is that it gives space for creativity,” Korrow said.

The Upper Langley development recently held an open house. Korrow said only four lots remain unsold, and there are at least a few people showing serious interest.

Feedback in the form of narratives by the development partners was provided to the city’s planning advisory board for consideration. The planning board will review their experiences and see how it can apply them to the codes and regulations for further affordable housing incentives.