Wednesday, September 17th, 2014
Rockford land buy moves ahead
By Kathy Thompson
ROCKFORD - Village council members Tuesday night approved paying resident Tom Rogers $10,000 per acre for approximately 21 acres on the village's west side where officials plan to create a housing subdivision.
Rogers said he has longed to do something for the village and this is his way of "hopefully bringing some new homes and new residents to the community."
"We've been short on housing here," Rogers said after the meeting. "I just think this is a great opportunity to expand the village."
Rogers is financing the sale at no interest. The town will pay $21,206 per year for 10 years, village administrator Jeff Long said.
Long said officials plan to develop the land into half-acre tracts for 40 to 60 homes.
"Those plans haven't been completely thought through yet," Long said. "But we plan on meeting with the engineers very soon and get the ball rolling."
This is the first time village officials have purchased land for a housing development. Prices for the developed lots have not been decided and will depend on the cost to put in water and sewer lines, streets and other infrastructure, Long said.
Those buying the lots must hire a contractor to build the homes.
Rogers has agreed to buy back any property that doesn't sell.
The last subdivision built in the village was Heather Park, also to the west of the village. Its 12 homes were built in the early 1900s, Long said.
Council in other action,
• passed a resolution to accept a $100,000 grant for improvements at Shane's Park. Long said the money comes from the state's 2015 capital budget and will be used for a new ball diamond, lighting and cameras. The funds will be administered through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
• passed a resolution accepting the amounts and rates as determined by the budget commission, authorizing the necessary tax levies and certifying them to the county auditor. Voters in May passed a five-year, 2.8-mill replacement levy that will generate $38,587 annually starting Jan. 1.
• learned a bicentennial organizational meeting is 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the village hall. The town will celebrate the landmark event 2020.
