Marion council approves rezoning to clear way for 41-unit Concord Villas affordable-housing project

The Marion City Council approved Ordinance 4120 to rezone several parcels from R2 general-family residential to the Concord Villas planned-unit development, clearing the way for a 41-unit affordable rental project in the Midway–Concord–Hendrickson corridor. The motion passed on a roll-call vote with Commissioners Barwick, Webb and Steckelan/Stellan and Mayor Abshire voting in favor; Commissioner Patton was recorded absent.

Council discussion traced the project’s five-year development history and financing. A council member presenting the item described assembling roughly 70 parcels, addressing demolition and title issues, and said the developer is pursuing low-income housing tax credits administered through the state to make below-market rents feasible. “This project has started five years ago… it is what we call a tax credit project,” the presenter said, describing how tax credits reduce developer costs in exchange for restricted rents.

Project design and community impacts were central to the discussion. The councilor said the proposal is primarily duplexes with 27 units described as single-family-style and the remainder duplexes, for a total of 41 dwelling units. The presenter said the development will include ADA-accessible sidewalks, new water and sewer lines and upgraded fire protection, and estimated an approximate $18 million total investment. The council clarified that Marion’s zoning code does not prohibit individual property owners from renting homes in R1 or R2 zones and that the rezoning to a PUD is a tool to align lot layouts and infrastructure for this scattered-infill project.

A question from a participant named John sought the construction timeline; the council was told engineering is underway, transactions were expected in June and construction could begin by July with multiple units built simultaneously. The council did not record any public opposition during the hearing portion captured in the transcript.

The ordinance affirms the zoning board’s earlier recommendation and was approved at the meeting. Next procedural steps referenced by council members include final engineering, dedication and subdivision replatting steps before construction begins.

The council also approved related land-vacation and redevelopment items elsewhere on the agenda that address lot configuration and access in the same neighborhood, which supporters said will facilitate the project’s site layout and vehicular access.