Citing a slumping housing market and other factors, the Pinellas County Commission today voted against requiring developers to include affordable housing units in their projects.

The so-called "inclusionary housing" ordinance had been in development for two years. The rule would have applied to projects of 20 units or more. Developers would have had to set aside up to 20 percent of their units at below-market cost in exchange for being allowed to build at higher densities than zoning laws normally permit.

Although the need for affordable housing still exists, commissioners said the market had changed since work began on the ordinance. Plus, they said, Pinellas cities had shown little eagerness to take part, meaning the new rule would have applied only in unincorporated areas. County Attorney Jim Bennett said that to justify the requirement, additional research into the market would have to be done.

"I don't think it's the right thing to do," County Commissioner Susan Latvala said before the vote. "And I certainly don't think it's the right thing to do today."