EAST PROVIDENCE — The waterfront commission, taking up the topic at a meeting held last Thursday evening, Sept. 21, will continue a discussion on a proposed change to an affordable housing element in an existing agreement with the contractor at the Kettle Point residential site.

Acting Commission Chairman Bill Fazioli reported out a 3-3 vote tally from the meeting on the proposal submitted by AR Builders, the contractors building 228 apartment units on the property owned by Kettle Point LLC. AR Builders is seeking to eliminate totally from the deal a provision to make available a percentage of the units as “affordable” according to state measurables.

Mr. Fazioli declined to comment further on the matter because, he said, the commission “is still deliberating the issue.”

When the Commission approved the original deal with Kettle Point LLC, which later contracted with AR Builders for construction, 10 percent, or 23, of the apartments were to fall under “affordable” guidelines. In a subsequent request, that figure was cut in half to 5 percent, or 12 apartments falling under the category.

Last month, AR Builders submitted another revision, requesting to remove the “affordable” requirement while agreeing to pay an additional $488,000 “in lieu of payment” to another project planned to meet those guidelines. With the first 5 percent cut, AR Builders also agreed to pay the same $488,000 figure.

The issue gain attention when City Community Development Director David Bachrach and Acting City Planner Diane Feather broached the city council with the topic earlier last week.

Mr. Bachrach was vehement in his opposition to the proposal, saying it would set “dangerous precedent” if approved. Both he and Ms. Feather emphasized the need for the council and the commission to codify many outstanding aspects associated with how the city and the bodies define “affordable housing.”

“I do feel encouraged that the process in place that this commission is using, along with the particular commission members provides a high degree of integrity as they are taking this issue very seriously,” Mr. Bachrach said after waterfront commission meeting. “No matter the outcome, the issue will be adequately explored.”