The Emporia-Lyon County Metropolitan Area Planning Commission has passed a preliminary plat for a significant housing development in south Emporia.
On Tuesday night, the Planning Commission voted 4-1 to approve the plat for the so-called Kretsinger Tract near South Exchange and Soden’s Road. This is the latest step in the process towards bringing as many as 53 new homes to town, with lot sizes ranging from 6,300-7,900 square feet.
Ignite Emporia has a tentative agreement to buy the property. Director Rob Gilligan calls the project “a relief valve” to possibly alleviate some of the local housing shortage
Planning Commission member Dan Colson was the only no vote. His concerns had to deal with the definition of affordability, especially after the City Commission approved a Housing Opportunity Overlay District for the property last month.
Most of the homes in this new development would be over $200,000.
Gilligan says it’s almost impossible to build affordable homes because of several reasons, notably increases in materials costs during the pandemic, but he says not building homes will only drive up the cost of current homes.
While the plat process moves forward, Ignite Emporia will work towards final financing approval through the Rural Housing Incentive District process. Engineering work could lead to infrastructure construction by summer and lots available for construction by mid-fall if the current schedule holds.
