Emporia City Commissioners may possibly approve yet another avenue for housing development as soon as next week.
The possibility comes following a presentation during the commission’s recent study session Wednesday morning by new City Planning and Zoning Administrator Justin Givens. Givens proposed the city look to approve the creation of a Housing Opportunity Overlay district.
The H-O-O District allows for the creation of denser single-unit residential developments within a residential district. Givens says one of the biggest benefits of an H-O-O district is that it lessens development costs.
City Commissioner and local real-estate agent Jamie Sauder says this would be another great tool in the toolbox for the city in addressing the need for affordable housing. Sauder adds this is a “mechanism” that has been in place within the city’s zoning regulations for more than two decades, however, this is the first time the city has ever pursued the opportunity.
He says the likely reason for that is because of obscurity within the current zoning codes.
Commissioners will take final action on the proposal during their next action session planned for next Wednesday.
In other business, commissioners discussed a proposed Small Cities in Kansas Community Block Development Grant application on behalf of the ownership of the former dry cleaning building at 17 West 4th in Emporia. The ownership is seeking to apply for CDBG funding to make improvements to the facility and bring the building back up to standards.
According to Grant Administrator Garrett Nordstrom, the ownership group could receive up to $250,000 through CDBG funding if the owners were to match a third of the estimated cost of around $330,000. The city will act as a passthrough of the funds as businesses are not directly eligible for CDBG funding.
There will be no financial risk for the city in this endeavor according to Nordstrom. In order for the building to qualify for the use of funding, the city will need to designate the building as a “blighted” property which is defined as a structure that is no longer in acceptable or beneficial condition to its community.
Commissioners may also take action on this item during their upcoming action session at 7 pm next Wednesday inside the Municipal Courtroom at White Auditorium.
