Developer proposes affordable housing
A 70 percent water rate increase was moved to a second reading.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- A Cincinnati-based company is proposing the construction of 110 units of affordable housing for seniors and those with incomes below the area's median.
Denise Blake, a developer with MV Communities Ltd., asked for city council's blessing Tuesday so the company can apply for tax credits to support the funding.
There would be two types of housing on 25 acres on the northeast corner of state Route 5 and Louis Avenue for which MV has an option to purchase. The area is in the Maplewood School District.
Blake explained there would be 50 units of three- and four-bedroom, single-family houses for those with incomes of between $21,000 and $36,000. They would be rented on a lease-purchase basis.
Sixty senior one- and two-bedroom cottages would be rented to those with incomes of between $14,000 and $26,000.
Blake didn't know the market value of either type of housing.
The project calls for construction to begin in spring or summer 2007 and completed by the end of 2008, Blake said.
Blake said the project isn't low-income housing, and there are no rent subsidies.
Jerry Bayus, a former councilman, characterized the housing as being for those of low income.
"This is a housing project that will affect our property values," Bayus charged.
Councilman James Woofter said he was interested in the concept of the project, especially the senior housing.
Support for another project
Earlier in the evening, lawmakers agreed to support Community and Economic Development Corp. in seeking housing credits to buy and rehabilitate the Pauni apartment complex on Liberty Boulevard.
CEDCorp. wants to buy the 48-unit complex off North Mecca Street and renovate the interior and exteriors, install new appliances and provide a new heating and air conditioning system.
In other business, council moved to a second reading an ordinance that would increase water rates by 70 percent.
It would boost the rates from $1.88 to $3.20 per 1,000 gallons. A single person would see a $5.28 increase per quarter in the water bill, while a family's bill would increase by about $26.40 per quarter.
No one voiced opposition to the increase to the legislation, which would generate about $166,000 annually.
Suggestion
Karen Reel, head of Cortland Homeowners Responsible Development, said the increase is needed since the rates haven't been increased since 1991.
She did, however, say she thinks that water tap-in fees should be increased as well so the rate in water isn't as high.
Finance Director Frances Moyer pointed out that the city's tap-in fees are already high for the area.
Council also moved to a second reading the hiring of MS Consultants Inc. of Youngstown to study the city's water system for $22,200.
During questioning by Councilman Terry Tackett, service Director Don Wittman said he couldn't do the study himself because it will take 200 hours to complete.
Tackett said he was tired of the city's paying MS for projects, and suggested an assistant be hired for Wittman so he could perform more in-house engineering.
yovich@vindy.com