The City of Athens’ Planning and Development Committee reintroduced the Woodsedge Project, which would provide more than 40 affordable housing units.
The committee passed an ordinance on June 3 allowing the city’s Service-Safety Director Andy Stone to advertise and accept bids for the project.
Committee chair Alan Swank (D-4th Ward) said the ordinance allows Stone to accept bids, but Stone can’t contract until the contractor meets a couple of agreements.
The Woodsedge Project could go into effect as early as September, according to Councilmember and Commission Chair Alan Swank, D-4th Ward.
The Woodsedge Project was introduced in 2020, requiring the developer to take responsibility for putting in the new infrastructure, according to the committee’s May 20 meeting minutes. The city would then reimburse the developer through Tax Increment Financing.
Swank said the city’s new proposal would reverse the TIF, making the city responsible for implementing the new infrastructure. This is because the cost of infrastructure has “skyrocketed” since 2020.
“The developer felt that they would be unable to do that, and if they were unable to do that, then the project would not go forward,” Swank said. “The land would just sit there and would not address the multitude of housing needs in Athens.”
The City plans to finance the project with three public funds for an estimated $2 million, according to the minutes. The project would create two- and three-bedroom, accessible townhouses in the $200,000 to $300,000 range.
Councilmember and Affordable Housing Commission member Solveig Spjeldnes (D-1st Ward) said the term ‘affordable housing’ is a federal term that is not just about low income.
“We need housing for seniors,” Spjeldnes said. “We need housing for students and we need housing for people with disabilities. We're trying to make sure that we are really looking at the various needs of the community.”
Before the project ordinance is introduced, Swank said the council and Stone must receive a guarantee the developer will complete the project.
According to the meeting minutes, developers have agreed to two of the three requirements: a substantial life insurance policy for both developers, addressing the City’s right of first refusal to purchase the land and scheduled service fee payments from developers.
Swank said in the past the committee has rushed through things and passed ordinances that should not have. This time, the committee is taking its time getting ordinances to the council.
“I would prefer to have I's dotted and T's crossed,” Swank said. “We've worked with the neighbors and all that and we think we have a good plan that we can move through fairly smoothly.”
While the project aims to increase housing opportunities, Spjeldnes raised concerns the project may introduce other problems like traffic and emergency service limitations.
“We only have one entrance (and one) exit into that whole plan, into all of University Estates,” Spjeldnes said. “I'm just concerned that we're going to run into a problem.”
Despite these housing concerns, Spjeldnes said in the meeting minutes, she is aware of residents who are eagerly awaiting these housing opportunities.
The Planning Commission recently passed an ordinance to provide greater density in parts of the community to make it more walkable and create additional housing, Spjeldnes said.
“We are just getting started again,” Spjeldnes said. “I'm hoping that we can do a lot more than what has been happening, but that's going to take a little time to build it all up and make sure that we're providing the kind of services that we need to.”
Council is expected to begin public hearings and committee readings on the project in August after its July recess, Swank said.
There isn’t an estimated completion date for the project because the timeline depends on sales.
