By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
City commissioners talked Thursday about some public concerns they've received that Hays is moving too quickly to add new housing that might not even be needed.
The discussion followed a presentation for a reinvestment housing incentive district (RHID) request for Tallgrass 2nd Addition Phase 4 by Heart of America, a local nonprofit economic development organization.
It would be north of the current Tallgrass project at 22nd and Wheatland, extending to Interstate 70. It is being platted for about 101 lots.
The RHID, a multiple-step process, requires proof of housing need and must be approved by the Kansas Secretary of State.
An RHID captures the incremental increase in real property taxes created by a housing development for up to 25 years.
Heart of America is proposing the city finance and construct the infrastructure related to the project and then utilize RHID revenues to offset its costs.
"We've got a lot going on in the next five years," said Shaun Musil, city commissioner, about planned housing developments.
"People are paying attention and asking the commission about it," Musil said. "A lot of them have had rentals for many years and aren't liking this, but we have a lot of (economic) incentives to help them fix up their old stuff.
"We need to be prepared to take this story to the street rather than just sitting at the dais observing 'here it comes, and here we go,'" said Mayor Sandy Jacobs.
"We're planning on the future, five and 10 years. We've got to be focused on that. What we've done, in my opinion, is exactly what we set out to do, and that is to bring private dollars to development.
"It's a little scary if you're sitting here making those decisions."
Jacobs also said the city is seeing some improvements in existing rental housing, "and we've given them the programs to do it."
A housing needs study for Hays is updated every three years by the Fort Hays State University Docking Institute for Public Affairs. The next one will be done in 2025.
"You can gauge whether you're making progress or how hard you need to hit the gas pedal," said Toby Dougherty, city manager.
He said the 2025 report will take into account only existing housing or what's being built now and will define future needs.
"If nothing's opened up to be built on or it's basically in the works, it won't count it," Dougherty said.
The last two analyses showed "we're still significantly in arrears with housing," said Dougherty. "We didn't build enough yearly to keep up with what we should have, so we've gotten a little further behind the curve.
"But there is a lot of stuff in the works, and if the builders get busy, we could make a good dent in it."
Commissioner Alaina Cunningham said the proposed new housing is of all types.
"If you look at the timeline, not everything is completed within the same year or even two years," Cunningham said. "That proves the housing study every three years is right on track to see where we are and what growth we've made."
"Things like this are great," said Mason Ruder, vice-mayor. "But we don't want to get to that point where we're building for no one. I don't think we're anywhere close to that."
"It's exciting what's going on, and I hope we continue to grow," Musil said.
The city commission aims for a 1% annual population growth in Hays.
"At some point, 400 houses or 250 houses from now, we won't necessarily be able to use an RHID because there won't be that shortage," said Reese Barrick, commissioner. "So anybody thinking about building housing and wanting this economic incentive should jump on it sooner than later."
Commissioners will vote on a resolution for the Tallgrass Phase 4 RHID at their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 26.
In other action, commissioners heard a presentation of the proposed 2025 street maintenance program by Jess Rohr, public works director.
The $1.1 million plan presented includes seal coat, polypatch, major rehab (street and concrete alley), pavement markings, curb and brick repair, sidewalk rebate program, and in-house crack seal and asphalt/concrete repair.
Staff will solicit bids for the recommended work for final commission approval early next year.
The recent departure of several doctors and other employees at Hays Med was brought up during commissioner comments by Musil, who said some citizens were asking what the city is doing about the situation.
HaysMed is a private non-profit organization and receives no city funding.
"We're not involved in it," Musil said. "It's a private business."
"We all care about the hospital and we want it to succeed."