The City Commission is moving forward with a new project to help developers build homes in Eudora, while helping with the housing shortage in the area.
Assistant City Manager Zack Daniel presented the city’s findings related to the need for housing in the area during Monday night’s meeting. The city is planning to move forward with rural housing incentive districts. This is the first official step in implementing this program in Eudora.
To establish the districts, the city’s housing needs analysis must demonstrate there is a shortage of quality housing in Eudora, the need is expected to persist, the shortage is a substantial deterrent for future economic growth and the future well-being on the city depends on the governing body providing incentives for the construction or renovation of quality housing.
The housing needs analysis said, “Organic residential development has not kept pace with the need for housing. At the same time, development in the region is expected to further strain the existing housing market. It is not economically feasible for the city to extend utilities to newly annexed land and unserved areas without the partnership of private developers,”
Other cities like Gardener, Pittsburg, Holton and Coffeyville have also utilized this program to better grow their cities, Daniel said.
“What RHID does is establish a baseline for undeveloped residential areas within a community and as development within an approved district occurs, the incremental increase in the property taxes is redirected back into that district for the eligible public improvements,” Daniel said.
The eligible improvements will be explicitly outlined in the development agreement with the city and developer, he said.
Commissioner Roberta Lehmann said the cost of building is so high that it’s contributing to the housing shortage.
Daniel said this program will address some of those issues because it is like a cost control mechanism and developers are reimbursed for the costs of the improvements the city agrees to.
Commissioner Alex Curnes said this program looks like it was made for communities like Eudora.
The commission voted unanimously to reaffirm the city’s findings to move forward with the process. The city will send the resolution to the secretary of Commerce for approval before December’s meeting where the commission will set a public hearing for the Shadow Ridge North district.
In other business, the city took the next steps in what they hope will be a future sports and entertainment district.
The tract of land south of K-10 next to the LMH Health Therapy Services is now annexed into the city limits after approval from the City Commission on Monday night.
The 55 acres was owned by Larry and Marilyn Wilson and is expected to be used for the city’s STAR bond district.
The STAR bond district could include a new arena for sports and other activities, a hotel, family entertainment, restaurants, a medical building and apartments.
The Planning Commission previously recommended the annexation’s approval at its October meeting, but wanted to add some caveats to make clear the land’s intended use was for the entertainment district.
No city utilities serve the area, and would be the responsibility of the future developer and the city.
Upon the annexation, the land will be considered agricultural. A request to rezone the land will be the next step for the project to move forward. Public notices will be sent to neighboring residents for this process.
The commission also received an update from Chamber of Commerce Board President Anthony Brown on the state of the chamber.
Brown said the chamber is more solid than it has been in the past with about $21,000 saved. He attributed this to active membership and an active board.
Brown said the chamber is also looking at eventually hiring a part-time intern through the KU business school, and eventually hire an executive director.
The chamber’s membership is growing, and the board has developed better ways to track paying members. There are about 70 members, he said.
“We made a conscious decision here last spring when I took my current position as president is the chamber wants to whittle down what we do and do those few things better. We kind of hang our hat on two main events of the year,” Brown said.
Focusing on the big events like the Trunk or Treat and Spring Gala will help with this, he said
The consent agenda included an update from Codes Administrator Curt Baumann on city violations from July to September. There were 56 for overgrown grass/weeds, 43 utilities, 22 local traffic regulations and 39 sign regulation violations
The agenda also said there have been 99 total building permits in the quarter with five new housing starts for a median value of $351,771. There have also been 31 total contractor licenses.
Susie Yuran, human resources specialist, recognized new staff at the meeting. The city hired accounts payable clerk Jessica Longstaff, police officers Andrew Schultz and Adam Seyler, and water plant operator Kasey Courtney.
City clerk Kelly Delay also brought the commission a proclamation recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The commission approved the proclamation.
Delay also gave an update on the state of the community development block grant for 701 Main St. The building owned by Paul and Kawehi Wight received the grant to make improvements to the historic Pilla building.
The Wights have been working with the Kansas Department of Commerce for the project’s funding, as well as the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission.
The grant timeline has been extended by the state because the project did not receive ample bids in the last couple attempts. The project now has an end date of September 2024 and a final auditing date of December 2024.
They are reworking the project to hopefully receive better bids, and have a new contractor working on the project.
Fire Chief Mindy Andrasevits asked the city to consider the authorization of a purchase for a new cascade air system for the department. The air system was included in the 2024 budget and will cost about $60,000. The commission approved the purchase.
The department has also asked for bids for its new strategic plan. In mid-November, the department will assemble a committee to weigh its options and select a new plan.
Parks and Recreation Director Sally Pennington said hay rides will start Dec. 5 and the mayor’s tree lighting will be at dusk on Nov. 25. Fall sports are finishing up and basketball starts next week, she said.
City Manager Kevyn Gero said the library will have a joint meeting with the City Commission at 6 p.m. Nov. 14.
Reach reporter Sara Maloney at [email protected]
