By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
At a November work session, the Great Bend City Council was presented
with information regarding Rural Housing Incentives Districts (RHID).
Additionally, it was proposed that the undeveloped, city-owned property at
Amber Meadows be designated an RHID to promote future housing.
The RHID captures the incremental increase in a housing development to pay off
the infrastructure costs for 25 years, such as streets, curbs, water and sewer.
Then that cost is not turned over to the homeowner. All taxing entities forgo
the taxes on the new homes for up to 25 years or until the public infrastructure
is paid off. This provides a financing tool for cities and developers to
address housing shortages.
Great Bend City Council member Natalie Towns was initially concerned this would
make the property difficult to sell if no developers step up to build houses on
the lots, but a discussion reiterated the RHID simply provides the incentive
for developers.
"I think we should go ahead with the vote because if no one ever develops it, it doesn't change anything."
"It doesn't prevent you from selling it or any other action. It just puts the incentive in place."
The city council approved the resolution designating Amber Meadows undeveloped
city property as an RHID.
In November, Justin Joiner with Joiner Construction,
mentioned an interest in creating housing in the subdivision, just north of
Veterans Memorial Park. There are approximately 60 vacant lots in Amber Meadows
owned by the city.
The resolution now goes before the Kansas Secretary of Commerce to approve the
designation.