Manhattan City Commissioners were presented with a slew of plans Tuesday aimed at creating more housing in Manhattan.
City staff presented potential strategies toward addressing housing challenges through Rural Housing Incentive Districts, Industrial Revenue Bonds, Moderate Income Housing grants and the city’s workforce housing sales tax.
The 2023 Economic Recovery and Relief Sales Tax is dedicated 70% to debt and infrastructure, 20% to jobs and 10% to workforce housing. The current Economic Development Policies focus on the 20% dedicated to jobs. The policy and procedures have been implemented in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and, according to city staff, has typically been applied to larger, financially stable businesses desiring to build or expand facilities in Manhattan and create jobs.
Commissioner Karen McCulloh made housing a major point of her campaign and voiced her support for more housing while calling for the loosening of regulations to allow for more building.
Commissioner Susan Adamchak also voiced her support for several proposals.
Commissioner Peter Oppelt voiced his support for further discussions and more solutions on the issue.
Commissioners Wynn Butler and John Matta also agreed that the housing issue needed to be resolved and more solutions could be obtained. A formal vote was not held, but further discussion will occur throughout the following weeks and months on the issue.
No action was taken due to Tuesday’s meeting being a work session, but commissioners agreed to continue discussions moving forward.
Details from the city’s presentation are shared below.
