The Pella City Council continues to focus on supporting the development of housing, as was the case again at their meeting this week.
City Administrator Mike Nardini tells KNIA/KRLS News the goal is to build 966 housing units in the community, including single-family, multi-family, senior, and rental homes, by the year 2025, according to an assessment completed in 2015. He says the council is roughly 15 to 20 percent towards their goal, in terms of housing plans reviewed by the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission.
Two major projects took a leap forward at this week’s meeting, including the Webster Park Development on the 400 Block of Main Street south of downtown, as the first reading of a planned unit development was approved. If adopted, demolition of the old Webster Elementary will begin late this fall, with construction starting in 2019 and likely continuing through 2020 for a $17 million, 41 housing unit group of townhouses.
A development agreement was also approved between the City of Pella and Harvest Investments, LLC, for the construction of the Vintage Cooperatives housing complex for those over the age of 55 at Bos Landen, and 10 additional single family homes. The agreement allows the developer to be reimbursed for up to $2.1 million of infrastructure through tax increment financing if the buildings they construct are occupied.
Hear more about housing in the city of Pella on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.