By JONATHAN SNYDER
Gorman and Company’s Trent Claybaugh presented two development proposals for apartments, near Cottonwood Court and in northwest Bluffton east of the YMCA, to the Bluffton Common Council on Tuesday.
Gorman and Company, based out of Wisconsin, is looking to add subsidized apartments to downtown Bluffton. Claybaugh stated that 56 units, called the Wilson Park apartments, will provide rental housing for people with high and low income rates. Gorman and Company also have in-house entities for development, construction, architecture and property management, according to Claybaugh.
Claybaugh stated that 28 of the apartments will be for people at 50% or under on the area median income. Claybaugh stated that this means people earning under $19 hourly in Bluffton.
The proposed Wilson Park apartments are planned to have 112 parking spaces surrounding the apartment buildings, a community room, fitness center, outdoor patio and a leasing office. Claybaugh also stated that the company will build out West South Street to have another roadway and entrance for the complex.
The other set of apartments, which was discussed in less detail, was stated as potentially age-restricted for residents 55 or older.
Claybaugh also presented a brief about Rental Housing Tax Credit. These credits, provided by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, are meant to help developers build affordable rental housing.
Claybaugh said Bluffton fairs a good chance of receiving the credits, since the city has not received any since 2009.
Claybaugh offered three options for the local match — a payment in lieu of taxes agreement, a full tax abatement and a partial tax abatement. Claybaugh notified that a PILOT agreement is considered most favorable for RHTC credits. Claybaugh also notified that any money received by the city from a PILOT agreement could be used in other areas, such as matching grants for READI 2.0 projects.
While the council was intrigued by both apartment developments, they also acknowledged that a more clear plan is needed from the council before they decide which route to take.
The council also considered subsidized versus market-rate apartments. Council member Chandler Gerber acknowledged that Bluffton needs housing, but a recent Bluffton housing study said that while people wanted cheaper rent, citizens are still living in their means.
“Of the survey responses that they (the study) got, largely people wanted cheaper rent,” Gerber said. “But it also said, ‘While they would prefer cheaper payments, they have the means to pay more.’”
Gerber further stated that Bluffton has a shortage of market-rate apartments and housing for people working who do not want to live in subsidized apartments. The council as a whole decided that they need some more time to discuss their options, with Claybaugh offering to come before the council again to talk about the next steps.
Furthermore, the council approved four CF1 tax abatement continuation forms for Almco Steel, two for 20/20 Custom Molded Plastics, three for AT Ferrell and four for Pretzels Incorporated. Before approval, City Attorney Tony Crowell reminded the public that the CF1 tax abatement forms are continuations of previously agreed upon tax abatements. CF1 forms are essentially renewals of these agreements, and they act as checkpoints for the council to see if the added equipment is still in use and functioning.
Additionally, the council approved $3,418.40 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds for the Parks Department’s Park Improvement line item. Clerk-Treasurer Michelle Simon stated that this is just an official accounting for dollars that was already appropriated for the Parks Department, they are just putting it into a line item.
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