A proposed workforce housing project located within Langley city limits may receive a portion of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, provided that the city can make the appropriate adjustments to its zoning of the area in question.

During Wednesday’s work session for the Island County commissioners, officials from the Port of South Whidbey led a presentation about a project that would involve the building of new concession stands on the port-owned Whidbey Island Fairgrounds to include affordable housing units on the upper levels.

Initial housing concepts allow for 15-20 units that could range from 500 to 1,000 square feet.

The port’s proposal requests grant funding from the county for a total of $135,000, to be put towards assessment of the existing infrastructure at the site and preliminary engineering.

Although the presentation was part of a Rural County Economic Development Infrastructure Investment Program funding application, alternative sources of funding listed included ARPA dollars, which the commissioners agreed might be a more appropriate use of funds since the port’s project involves affordable housing.

Island County received $16.5 million in ARPA funds, $9.5 million of which has been earmarked by the county commissioners for affordable housing or infrastructure.

Commissioner Janet St. Clair said the port’s project has always made sense to her because the infrastructure connecting to city utilities already exists.

“There’s an element of common sense to this being a logical place to do workforce housing,” she said.

The location of the project on the fairgrounds, however, is not currently zoned for residential use.

While supportive, the commissioners were wary of approving funds without a solid commitment from the city of Langley to ensure that housing is made an allowable use in the zone.

“Citizens have a habit of stepping in and then creating tension for what we thought were allowable uses for affordable housing projects that derail the intention,” St. Clair pointed out, alluding to a recent Low Income Housing Institute project in Freeland that drew outcry because of its location in an area zoned as a business district.

According to Meredith Penny, Langley’s Director of Community Planning, the Port of South Whidbey would need to apply for one of two changes. The options include either a comprehensive plan update to rezone the property from public use to another residential zone, or a code update to the Fairgrounds Overlay District to include housing as one of the allowed uses.

St. Clair emphasized that the city must include the zoning change as part of an approved work plan or docket item, rather than just providing a letter of support for the project.

As Commissioner Jill Johnson put it, “Their enthusiasm is legally not enough to put something in a zone.”