Planning commission backs Newberry Village plan for 247 manufactured homes, recommends TIF-supported infrastructure

The North Platte Planning Commission on April 28 recommended that the City Council consider the Newberry Village redevelopment plan, a phased project that would build a 247-unit manufactured-home community with a small commercial area and infrastructure funded in part by tax-increment financing (TIF).

Planning staff told commissioners the site has been declared blighted and that the redevelopment plan conforms to the city's comprehensive plan and subdivision and zoning regulations. The resolution accompanying the plan says the development will be phased by market demand and requires new water, sewer, paving and storm detention systems.

Why it matters: Commission members and supporters framed the project as a response to an acute shortage of lower-cost homeownership options in North Platte. Gary Pearson, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber Development Corporation, said the development would create housing at a price point aimed at workforce households and generate immediate tax revenue different from other TIF projects because the homes are not captured in the increment in the same way as typical commercial property.

Developers and counsel addressed size, financing and upkeep. Mike Bacon, an attorney who said he drafted the redevelopment plan at the redevelopment authority's direction, described the project as a roughly $37 million investment to be phased and noted that park maintenance and upkeep would be required under the redevelopment contract to avoid rapid deterioration. He said conditional governance in the redevelopment contract will set maintenance obligations.

Commissioners asked about school impacts, financing mechanics and how the homes will be delivered and marketed. Bacon and a developer representative, Roger Bollington, said the developer plans presales, model homes and to work with lenders to make manufactured-home financing more accessible. Bollington said units would be brought in to prime sales and then replenished as homes are sold.

Quotes:
"This will provide a housing price point that many of our workforce can afford," Gary Pearson said, adding that the project had support from industry partners. "It will produce additional tax revenue immediately into the community."

"Two hundred forty-seven modulars is like, oh my goodness," Mike Bacon said, describing the project's scale and the phased approach. He said the redevelopment contract will include maintenance and long-term conditions.

What the commission did: Commissioner Bain moved, and Commissioner Matthews seconded, a motion to recommend approval of the redevelopment plan and resolution; the motion carried. Planning staff said the item will go to city council on May 5 for further action.

Next steps: The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council on May 5 for public hearing and final decisions on the redevelopment resolution and any associated TIF actions.

Ending: The commission made a recommendation to council and closed public comment after developer and community representatives answered questions on infrastructure, school capacity and financing.