Needles City highlights housing grants, developer interest and infrastructure projects
May 10, 2023 | Needles City, San Bernardino County, California
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City staff told the commission the city has a slate of housing and development actions aimed at accelerating projects and attracting private investment.
Staff (S7) said the city received approximately $445,000 in state funding (HCD) that can be used for housing activities; $225,000 of those dollars were described as earmarked for first-time homebuyer loans and $185,000 were described as a developer subsidy for workforce housing. Staff said the grant will also be used to cover a five-year membership in a county housing trust.
On new development, staff reported approval of a 75-lot RV park and a recently approved 60-lot tentative tract map; staff said the city has not created a tentative tract map in many years. Commissioners and staff discussed possible financing mechanisms for infrastructure on greenfield sites, including benefit assessment districts and Mello-Roos style financing to fund on-site infrastructure.
Engineering updates included a recently completed Needles Bridge rehabilitation and a May 24 groundbreaking scheduled for the water treatment plant project. Staff noted some localized "dip" issues at the Needles Bridge approach and said they would coordinate with Caltrans and ADOT to address them.
Staff also reported the Hampton Inn’s strong performance and developer interest in hotel expansion (an 18-room addition was described as in permitting). The city’s online permitting system and expedited permit-log process were described as contributors to increased permit activity year over year.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach to developers, pursue grant-funded infrastructure work, and present staffing and financing options for large greenfield projects to the commission for further direction.
Staff (S7) said the city received approximately $445,000 in state funding (HCD) that can be used for housing activities; $225,000 of those dollars were described as earmarked for first-time homebuyer loans and $185,000 were described as a developer subsidy for workforce housing. Staff said the grant will also be used to cover a five-year membership in a county housing trust.
On new development, staff reported approval of a 75-lot RV park and a recently approved 60-lot tentative tract map; staff said the city has not created a tentative tract map in many years. Commissioners and staff discussed possible financing mechanisms for infrastructure on greenfield sites, including benefit assessment districts and Mello-Roos style financing to fund on-site infrastructure.
Engineering updates included a recently completed Needles Bridge rehabilitation and a May 24 groundbreaking scheduled for the water treatment plant project. Staff noted some localized "dip" issues at the Needles Bridge approach and said they would coordinate with Caltrans and ADOT to address them.
Staff also reported the Hampton Inn’s strong performance and developer interest in hotel expansion (an 18-room addition was described as in permitting). The city’s online permitting system and expedited permit-log process were described as contributors to increased permit activity year over year.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach to developers, pursue grant-funded infrastructure work, and present staffing and financing options for large greenfield projects to the commission for further direction.
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