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New housing proposed for LeClaire

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By Mary Louise Speer | Tuesday, June 10, 2008 |

LeCLAIRE, Iowa — Potential first-time homebuyers hope to find affordable housing that will get them into the home ownership arena without breaking their budgets.

To fill that need, developer Kevin Brenner of Brenner & Son’s LLC Custom Homes of Johnston, Iowa, proposes to construct Timber Ridge Development and bring new housing to west LeClaire. The three-story townhouses would cost about $150,000 per unit and include two-car garages on the lowest level, he said. The infrastructure improvement for phase 1 would cost about $288,000, and he is asking for some residential tax increment financing, or TIF.

“I believe if we could get this project off the ground, it will be a benchmark for other communities,” he said. “When you walk into one of these, people will be jealous of the house.”

Brenner grew up in LeClaire, and some of his friends don’t even have a garage, he said. The 75 homes would meet Energy Star standards and have hardwood floors, granite counter tops and other amenities, he said. He gave a presentation at a LeClaire City Council meeting Monday night.

He’s heard people express the desire for more affordable subdivisions for lower- to middle-income families. These people are concerned there is no new affordable housing in the Quad-City area, he said.

“It’s something we don’t have currently, that range of (new) $150,000 or less,” LeClaire City Council member Lane Bleeker said.

If the city doesn’t do something, the parcel of land located between Iowa Drive and Eagle Ridge Road will continue to sit vacant, he said. If the proposed subdivision goes through, the city’s general fund and other governmental entities would benefit from more tax dollars.

The city has the option of providing a typical TIF funding agreement for the project, which is what it has done with many other residential developments, City Administrator Edwin Choate said. Or city officials could provide a hybrid form of TIF or funding with restrictions, such as the sales price of the units.

But not all council members liked the idea of a TIF.

“I’m (kind of) against any TIF for any more residential,” council member Ron Leiby said. “I think we’re at ropes end, and I think we should stick with commercial. I’m sorry. It’s nothing personal.”

What’s next?

The LeClaire City Council will vote on giving the Timber Ridge Development a preliminary consideration at the June 16 council meeting. That meeting takes place

7 p.m. next Monday at LeClaire Council chambers, 325 Wisconsin St.

The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2450 or newsroom@qctimes.com.

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