Council tables Club 720 housing proposal pending redevelopment-commission input

Decatur City Council heard a proposal from Club 720 (formerly Resource Hub) for a small-scale homeownership development on three city-owned parcels south of the Macklin Building on South 1st Street, and chose to table the item for further review.

City staff said Club 720 approached the city with a plan to take ownership of city parcels at 125, 135 and 207 South 1st Street and work with a developer to build individually owned small-scale homes. Staff described the change from an earlier larger rental/commercial concept and said Club 720 would use the land as part of a local match if they receive an infill grant through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Staff warned that a sewer interceptor runs along the properties and that a significant utility easement would be required, which constrains where structures could be placed. Staff also said the redevelopment commission had not yet been involved and recommended more time to consult stakeholders.

"They want a letter of intent that if they receive this grant, the city would work with us to transfer ownership, take care of any zoning replanning ... and then transfer title to the ground to Club 720," a staff member said. Council members expressed interest but said they wanted more detail and redevelopment-commission input before pledging city parcels.

A council member moved to table the discussion until the next meeting so the council could reach out to the redevelopment commission and gather more information; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

The council did not approve a letter of intent or pledge of parcels during the recorded discussion. Staff noted next steps would include outreach to the redevelopment commission, review of easement and utility constraints, and returning with more detailed plans if appropriate.