City council discusses 380, housing policy
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The Sulphur Springs city council discussed housing and the 380 agreement policy, among other items of business at the regular Dec. 7 council session.
380 AGREEMENTS
The following 380 agreements were approved unanimously:
- 307 W. Beckham St.
- 309 W. Beckham St.
- 311 W. Beckham St.
- 312 W. Beckham St.
- Fuller and Como (Parcel R3911)
- 207 Calvert St.
A 380 agreement for 623 Putman St. was originally included on the consent agenda, but Julian moved to only approve the other six agreements, excluding 623 Putman St. Therefore, 623 Putman St. was not approved.
Council member Doug Moore moved to amend the 380 agreement to state that the city does not own such properties. The amendment passed unanimously.
Community development director Tory Niewiadomski further proposed an amendment with an option to expand the 380 policy to multi-family or infill housing.
“It’s [the 380 policy] limited to single-family homes at this time, but staff has received multiple inquiries about developing with duplexes or even quadplexes,” Niewiadomski noted. “We’d like to entertain this for your consideration.”
Newiadomski harkened back to presentations he has given to council since 2019 regarding the heavy burden single-family homes place on both the taxpayer and the city.
“The program has far exceeded my expectations,” Niewiadomski said. “I expected five or six homes [to take advantage of the 380 agreements] but as of tonight we’ve had 35 homes be approved. I’d like an opportunity to judge a little bit more… and get some feedback on amending the policy.”
Mayor John Sellers echoed earlier comments he gave in September 2021, saying the 380 agreement has been “a great program for us [the city].”
The city approved the amendment to now include duplexes and quadplexes as part of properties eligible for 380 agreements.
OTHER HOUSING
The council discussed their appointment to the Hopkins County Appraisal District Board of Directors. Council member Jay Julian stated he had recently interviewed nominee Koby Long, and recommended his reappointment as he found him to be an “outstanding nominee.” Long was unanimously approved.
The council unanimously approved a plat request by Ramachandra Yennam for a 9.3 acre property at Live Oak and Cadi Lane and Marianne Circle to be split into 39 single-family lots.
According to community development director Tory Niewiadomski, this development is colloquially known as the Woodcreek addition. The plans “reach the dimensional standards,” Niewiadomski said, and will add 1,700 feet of street and two stormwater detention ponds.
Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has previously approved the plan, Niewiadomski said, provided one irregularly-shaped lot conforms to a 10-foot setback rather than the standard 25-foot-setback. P&Z also discussed drainage, Niewiadomski said, but concluded that was “more of a maintenance issue.”
The lots will consist of 2,000 to 6,000 square foot lots, per Niewiadomski, but will not immediately have sidewalks as there is no city ordinance requiring them.
Council member Oscar Aguilar thanked Yennam, stating, “we need to be make we have housing for the future.”
By Taylor Nye
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