As hundreds of cyclists poured through the Summit City, there was hope that the event would not only bring some exercise and entertainment to the participants but hopefully a changed view of the community in general.FORT WAYNE – In an attempt to quell resident outrage – and perhaps misunderstanding – the Fort Wayne Plan Commission will have more city experts on hand to provide insight when the board reviews controversial developments.
The decision came just before Keller Development Inc.’s Greenway Meadows won approval Monday from the commission to build an $8 million, rent-to-own addition on South Hanna Street featuring 49 houses, west of the Public Safety Academy.
The single-family, three- and four-bedroom homes are valued at $120,000, but residents qualifying for the affordable housing have 15 years to lease while taking mandatory classes in home ownership, maintenance and financial literacy. Though touted as an opportunity that allows low-income residents to become homeowners, the project drew the ire of some neighbors who wanted to see more services in the area instead.
Commission member Mike Bynum said in the future it would be helpful to have city housing officials on hand in such cases. For example, Heather Presley-Cowen, deputy director in Housing and Neighborhood Services, attended Monday’s meeting. She explained that in the city’s view, Greenway Meadows did not represent an undesirable development.
She said southeast residents would like services like restaurants, but businesses actually want to see more “rooftops” in the area before investing. Greenway Meadows would help accomplish that, she said. As for residents’ concerns the area would be stuck with a residential zoning, Cowen said a developer could simply apply for rezoning.
The housing plan received the requested rezoning change to residential from commercial. The City Council must give final approval at an upcoming meeting.
Keller is working with non-profit Northeast Indiana Housing Partnership Inc. Besides rents ranging from $400 to $800, residents of Greenway will have equity in their homes if they decide to buy them for half the market value at the end of the 15-year lease period.
The modest houses will span up to 1,600 square feet and have two-car garages and be trimmed in brick with vinyl siding. Tenants who move before the 15-year agreement aren’t penalized, but the residential tenure won’t start over for new residents.
