Monday nights February council meeting at the Sutton City Hall presented more discussions and decisions related to the developing Schwab Ground housing development, going on in southeast Sutton, adacent to the Fox Hollow Golf Course.
The project development phase, estimated at a cost of just over $4 million to construct and install infrastructure to the housing development continued covenant discussions, mostly related to loosening the requirements of what future home construction requirements will have to go through, and related to the time-frame in which a potential home owner will face while building a home on the new site.
The biggest concern, register by councilman Jeff Schelkopf included his suggestion to remove certain front facade requirements that a home must have, which in the eyes of Schelkopf only adds to the cost of building a home.
“I just think some of the requirements are to strict, including the use of stone, or masonry products of the front facades of a potential home are adding to the cost of a home. I don’t think those requirements are needed.”
Schelkopf noted that it is in the city’s best interest to make building a home much easier, and less restrictive.
“Our objective is to not add to the task of building a home, but making it easier so that people will be more likely to buy a lot and build a home.”
In addition, city attorney, Drew Graham of Svehla Law of York, presented a potential timeline in which a future homeowner has to build a home, once a lot is purchased in the new development.
Anyone that purchases a lot will have up to three years to build a dwelling, but noted that extensions would be in place to build a home, realizing that some roadblocks can potentially slow down the construction process, so in essence, from the time of a lot being purchased, it would be possible to file for a “hardship extension,” in an effort to show potential homeowners that the city will be good to work with homeowners. In the words of Schelkopf, “we want to be as good to work with as we possibly can in each case, in order to promote new construction on the ground.”
A pay app in the amount of $212,807.18 was approved by council members for work that has taken place by Van Kirk Bros. Contracting on the Schwab Ground site.
CHANGE ORDER
Council members approved a change order in the Schwab Ground for the addition of ADA capable sidewalks at a cost of $62,793.10, which will help with the installation of ADA compatible sidewalks throughout the development.
OTHER BUSINESS
City officials honored Janet Benson in recognition for her 29 years of service to the Sutton EMT squad. Mayor Tim Anderson presented Benson with a plaque for her service.
Council members also approved a proposal to replace filter sand used at the Sutton Aquatic Center in the filtration system at a cost of $8,400. The bid was awarded to New Wave Pools and Spas of Omaha.
The City of Sutton will also begin advertising for seasonal mowing at 16 different city-owned properties. The notice, once published will be accepted until 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 5.
Full details of the properties to bid on can be viewed at City Hall.
