6/8/2006
A first-of-a-kind agreement seeks to assure that 'affordable' housing in redeveloped Brookview remains 'affordable' and that at least 70% of the units to be built are sold rather than rented.

"We're not going to have a bunch of units bought up by absentee landlords," Councilman John Cartier told Council's land use committee as it cleared pending rezoning ordinances for votes on June 13. One of the measures would change Brookview's classification from garden-apartment to a combination of suburban residential and neighborhood commercial. Both the Planning Board and the Department of Land Use have recommended the rezoning and there is no apparent opposition from any quarter. Cartier on June 6 referred to the rezoning as "critical" adding that "with this rezoning we will be able to begin the project."

A proposed agreement between county government and Brookview Town homes Redevelopment, l.l.c., to be incorporated into the rezoning ordinance, provides that only 5% annual increases from the initial maximum selling price of $165,000 will be allowed for 10 years after the initial sale of 'affordable' units. The ceiling will apply to 120 of the 1,200 units to be built. The agreement limits rental housing to no more than 30% of all Brookview units -- compared to about 50% now throughout the Claymont area. Properties originally sold as 'homeownership units' must be deed-restricted to maintain that status after subsequent resales.

The redevelopment company will be required to contribute $25,000 to Claymont Renaissance Development Corp. "to further the ongoing efforts to increase the economic viability of the Claymont community."

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