Because affordable housing is one of the key issues for the Race Equity Advisory Committee on Bainbridge Island, a developer looked for its support at its most-recent meeting.

David Smith, president of Central Highlands Inc., which wants to develop the Wintergreen Townhomes Project between Walgreen’s and Virginia Mason asked for their support.

But since the issue didn’t get on the agenda Smith was limited to three minutes during public comments.

The project would provide 31 affordable housing units.

Smith hopes if the committee endorses the project that it might then be approved by the city’s Design Review Board.

The sticking point, Smith said, is the DRB wants a 50-foot buffer from Highway 305, while the developer can only manage 35 feet. Any more would crowd the living units and not give enough space between them, he said.

The DRB is concerned about the noise from the highway. So Smith’s company paid for a noise study and decided to put up an 8-foot fence made of material that would lessen the noise. “That dropped the decibel level down 50 percent,” Smith told the committee.

Smith said this project is the first affordable housing unit to come to BI in a long time.

“Housing is a very important issue,” he said, adding marginalized groups can’t afford to live here.

He said the request is of the utmost urgency because the project will be “lost” if a final decision is not made by August.

In a letter sent to committee members prior to the meeting, Smith says of the 73 townhomes, 42 would be open market for middle income; the others for low income.

“Our affordable home project is desperately needed on Bainbridge for our lower-income homebuyers. In particular, the Bainbridge Island local workforce is comprised mostly of commuters from off island who cannot afford to buy a home on Bainbridge,” his letter states.

The equity committee, city, affordable housing task force and comprehensive plan all say lower-income households are a marginalized group on BI.

“For the past 15 years or so, according to city staff and other metrics, lower income households have had little to no opportunity to purchase and own a home on Bainbridge Island,” Smith’s letter continues.

According to the affordable housing task force’s final report: “Bainbridge Island is older, wealthier and far less racially diverse than other communities in the region.” This means that “Bainbridge is becoming an increasingly exclusive and rarified place to live. We are missing out on the vibrancy, creativity, economic benefit and sustainability that a diverse population — diverse in age, socioeconomics, race ethnicity and background — brings to a community. As a result, housing affordability is crucial to both those who live here and those who cannot.”

His letter states that on June 21, the DRB was ready to approve the project, but would not budge on the 50-foot barrier.

Smith says the “50 foot setback would dramatically reduce open space in the middle courtyard area in the west lot, thereby reducing qualify of life for the unit owners.”

Both Housing Resources Bainbridge and Housing Kitsap, which are also involved in the project, would agree low income households are desperate to become homeowners versus renters. The cost to rent on BI is $2,200 per month. Buying one of these homes would cost about $1,570 per month. Payments staying the same rather than rent increases, along with any appreciation in value, are other benefits, as renters are more transient.

The project is behind schedule because of six DRB meetings instead of three. It still has to go to the Planning Commission, City Council and hearing examiner.

Smith hopes the equity committee will support this “unique opportunity for the city to take action on its state commitment to racial and social equity.”