One of the final pieces of the procedural phase of Emporia’s newest housing development is in place; the other, however, will need at least two more weeks before it can say the same.
During their regular action meeting Wednesday morning, Emporia City Commissioners approved an ordinance establishing a Planned Unit Development (PUD) for the Cedarbrook Meadows housing development set to be located along the north edge of West 18th Avenue between the Jones Aquatic Center and Americus Road. This was one of two matters related to the development considered by commissioners Wednesday, with the second, a final plat, being tabled until the commission’s next regular meeting in two weeks.
City Manager Trey Cocking explained the tabling was due to some simple corrections in the documents presented Wednesday.
The development will consist of 124 6,240-square-foot units, costing between $200,000 and $300,000. KVOE News previously asked Cocking how this development helps address Emporia’s need for affordable housing, to which he stated it doesn’t directly.
Cocking also reiterated that this development will have no dollars from the city allocated to it and will be solely funded through the developer. A construction timeline, following approval of the final plat, has yet to be announced.
In other action matters, commissioners approved the annexation of 615 Overlander Road, which will house Flint Hills Technical College’s new Precision Agriculture and Commercial Driver’s License programs. Per Wednesday’s action, the land will maintain its current Light Industrial status.
Commissioners also recognized the city finance department for receiving the Government Finance Officers Association certificate for excellence in financial reporting for the 2024 fiscal year. This was the 40th consecutive year the city has received the honor.
During the commission’s study meeting, one of the main items of focus was an updated franchise agreement with Evergy for 10 years. The reason for the new agreement’s consideration is that the current agreement, which grants Evergy rights to access the city’s right of ways to install power lines within the community.
In return, the city would receive six percent of Evergy’s gross receipts, a one percent increase from the previous agreement, which equated to approximately $1 million into the city’s general fund. The five percent would be a one percent increase in the fee from the previous 20-year term and would generate approximately $400,000, the equivalent of 1.6 mills, according to city documents.
Cocking says this would mean a slight decrease in city property taxes, possibly three percent, but a potential increase in utility costs, roughly one percent. Cocking says the positive side of this potential increase is that utility usage is something that can be moderated by the customer, while property taxes cannot.
Commissioners have yet to take action on the agreement, which, if approved, would carry an option of a “reopener” in five years.
Additional details from Wednesday’s meeting are available at Emporiaks.gov under the agendas tab.
