MONROE - Monroe city council members agreed on a 7-1 vote to a memorandum of understanding with a local housing company looking to build and manage a four-unit, low-income apartment building near downtown Monroe.
Monroe Common Council discussed the potential development with Randy Boss, general manager of Monroe-based Twining Valley, which is owned by JJT Development Corporation, the company looking to oversee the new apartments.
"We don't want to invest the time and money before consideration from council to ensure the project can move forward," Boss said.
Essentially, City Administrator Phil Rath said, the company was looking for assurance. The vacant parcel of land owned by the city in the 1600 block of 15th Street near Monroe Middle School would be given to the company to develop a two-story housing unit. Boss said the layouts would be family-oriented, likely to be three-bedroom rentals.
The memo outlines the need for a development plan from the company. Terms include a budget that will allow JJT to complete construction while qualifying for the use of Section 8 vouchers, planning for the project, securing permits for building, constructing the building properly and securing rental assurance with the help of the city.
Tenants would pay one-third of their monthly income in this type of apartment, Boss said. The rest of the cost of the unit would be subsidized through Section 8, government aid, based on the typical cost of comparative apartments.
JJT would have 18 months to prepare a budget, create plans and find funding for the project before moving forward. In the memo, a timeline includes a specification for a 120-day construction period once funds are obtained.
Steps would still need to be taken to work out a finalized agreement in the future, City Attorney Dan Bartholf said. Currently, Boss and JJT were simply looking to ensure the land would still be available once the plans are developed and the final stages are considered. Boss noted other developments had been denied in the past and wanted to avoid a similar event.
Alderman Michael Boyce said there were some issues he saw with the potential project, naming two he felt were obstacles for the city. One, he said, was the idea of the city managing property, which he was not in favor of, and two, the development of a Community Development Authority. Boyce said he felt a CDA would "dilute" the authority of the council in potential development and that such an organization was too large for a city like Monroe.
"Otherwise I think you're right," Boyce said to Boss. "The city needs housing of all types, and if we can help you, I think we should try."
Alderman Jeff Newcomer said he felt similarly about the need for a variety of housing within the city, but he was disheartened by the location. Newcomer said he felt a development so near to downtown and schools should be utilized to draw in professionals, not those in need of income-based housing.
Boyce voted in favor of the memo, along with fellow council members Brooke Bauman, Tom Miller, Charles Koch, Richard Thoman, Ron Marsh and Rob Schilt. Newcomer was the sole no vote. Chris Beer was absent.
Monroe Common Council discussed the potential development with Randy Boss, general manager of Monroe-based Twining Valley, which is owned by JJT Development Corporation, the company looking to oversee the new apartments.
"We don't want to invest the time and money before consideration from council to ensure the project can move forward," Boss said.
Essentially, City Administrator Phil Rath said, the company was looking for assurance. The vacant parcel of land owned by the city in the 1600 block of 15th Street near Monroe Middle School would be given to the company to develop a two-story housing unit. Boss said the layouts would be family-oriented, likely to be three-bedroom rentals.
The memo outlines the need for a development plan from the company. Terms include a budget that will allow JJT to complete construction while qualifying for the use of Section 8 vouchers, planning for the project, securing permits for building, constructing the building properly and securing rental assurance with the help of the city.
Tenants would pay one-third of their monthly income in this type of apartment, Boss said. The rest of the cost of the unit would be subsidized through Section 8, government aid, based on the typical cost of comparative apartments.
JJT would have 18 months to prepare a budget, create plans and find funding for the project before moving forward. In the memo, a timeline includes a specification for a 120-day construction period once funds are obtained.
Steps would still need to be taken to work out a finalized agreement in the future, City Attorney Dan Bartholf said. Currently, Boss and JJT were simply looking to ensure the land would still be available once the plans are developed and the final stages are considered. Boss noted other developments had been denied in the past and wanted to avoid a similar event.
Alderman Michael Boyce said there were some issues he saw with the potential project, naming two he felt were obstacles for the city. One, he said, was the idea of the city managing property, which he was not in favor of, and two, the development of a Community Development Authority. Boyce said he felt a CDA would "dilute" the authority of the council in potential development and that such an organization was too large for a city like Monroe.
"Otherwise I think you're right," Boyce said to Boss. "The city needs housing of all types, and if we can help you, I think we should try."
Alderman Jeff Newcomer said he felt similarly about the need for a variety of housing within the city, but he was disheartened by the location. Newcomer said he felt a development so near to downtown and schools should be utilized to draw in professionals, not those in need of income-based housing.
Boyce voted in favor of the memo, along with fellow council members Brooke Bauman, Tom Miller, Charles Koch, Richard Thoman, Ron Marsh and Rob Schilt. Newcomer was the sole no vote. Chris Beer was absent.