Wednesday

Snyder Needs New Housing

In the city council debate the point was brought up by Jack West that lack of good residential housing is hurting growth in Scurry County.

For example, recently I met a lady who had moved here from Levelland.

All she could find was a small apartment.

She commented that if she had known the housing situation in Snyder was so bad, she would have hesitated to move.

Jack West believes that the city should help housing developers by paving the roads and running utilities to new developments.

The would encourage new housing developments.

The general policy, not just in Snyder, is for developers to pay the cost of paving, curbing and running utilities to new housing.

The city then pays for upkeep.

The argument is that the tax payers should not have to bear this expense.

The developer should.

I had always assumed that the city paved any new roads within the city limits where houses were located

I was interested to find that developers usually bear this cost and pass it on to the house buyer.

There are instances, however, where cities bear the cost for the developer.

Who is right?

If the city is badly in need of housing, should the they pay the cost of street paving, curbing and getting utilities to a development site or is this a legitimate expense of the developer as part of the cost of building houses?

It would then be passed on to the house buyer.

In any case there is one thing that I think we can all agree.

We need new housing in Snyder.

13 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with Jack West although his opinion will be biased being he is a developer.
Snyder does need new housing to stimulate the economy. I feel the city can help out with providing the utilities to new developments as well as paving roads. Sure that may seem like a lot of money to spend on just housing, but the home owners are going to pay city taxes! As well as promote Snyder's growing economy.
The only stipulation is if people would actually ever move into these newly developed houses, wherein the city has just payed for roads and utilities. Therefore I think some sort of contract should be utilized in with this program to make sure the city doesn't lose a lot of pointless money, however, with probable intentions it wouldn't be a waste of money. Have a contract requiring the developer to pay 70%-80% or even 100% of the development contributed by the city if no one moves into the housing within 2 years or so. And once moved in the home owner must sign a buyers contract to stay in that house for a certain period of time in which the city can get some compensation for the investment.
I think we need to realize that the city needs to start being more proactive in our economy on a local level also.

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I am a homeowner and I had to pay for the utilities and paving for my street. Rather the developer paid for them and added it to the price of the home.
Should the city now reimburse me?

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city should help pay for some of the paving and utilities. The lack of housing in Snyder is hurting our growth.
The city will make their money back through increased sales tax and property tax.
The city need to be more active in promoting growth in Snyder

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I like some of the ideas of the first comment.
Maybe the city and developers could work together through a creative incentive program to get housing into Snyder.

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city never does anything creative. They are too worried about gold plated pension plans for their employees.
These plans will mortgage the city's future.

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I don't think we need to be finger pointing.
Let's work together and take advantage of our present boom to prepare Snyder for the future.

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

No, the city should not reimburse you. I have reasons but blogger is making me extremely mad because i just typed a huge explanation and it lost it.

Check out What's UP Snyder. It's an online news show ALL about Snyder.

Friday, May 11, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, the city should pay the costs to develop the new streets. They should be interested in helping Snyder grow and they can do this by helping the developers. The city needs to be proactive. Housing is needed so badly and the city has the ability to help.

Monday, May 21, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband (a born and bred Snyderite...) and I recently moved back to Snyder. The housing situation is more DIRE than current city government or other homeowners are willing to admit. Jack West should be viewed as who he really is...someone who knows what he is talking about BECAUSE he is a developer. The best "new business" the DCOS needs to look at is the business of maintaining DECENT rental properties in Snyder. With all of the oilfield, construction, and professional workers that Snyder is attracting, a rental business would be a killer money maker in this town AND bring a valuable service to the community. That's the type of "industry" Snyder really needs. We almost had to turn down a really good job opportunity in Snyder because we could not find a place to live. I hope the new Elementary Principal's home search goes better than ours did. It would be a shame if she had to turn down the offer because she can't find decent housing for her and her family.

Monday, May 21, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I've got a reverse solution to Brett's suggestion...It's commonplace for developers to pay to "develop" the streets and utilities, but instead of pushing the cost to potential homeowners(and lessening the chance of a sale), the city can give a "cash back" incentive for every new resident of the development. For example, 5 new homes on a new street. City reimburses developer 20% each time a house is sold in the development. The city isn't out any upfront cash, and the developer has an incentive to build here for a cheaper price. The buyers are out there.. the smart ones are just waiting for a better deal.

Monday, May 21, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I work for a utility other than the city, and I know that it is common practice for the developer to pay for "us" to install out facilities and then we maintain. I do not however agree with this practice....we should work with the developer to push this type of utility making a certain percentage of these houses diverse so we can earn a return... IMO

Saturday, June 02, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Which comes first the chicken or the egg? At one of the meetings trying to drum up support to pass the bond election for the new school it was stated that a new school would attract more people to come to Snyder. Now you are saying there isn't enough housing!!! Goodness, someone should have told the folks wanting the new school that first. EVERYONE has got to work together though to help Snyder grow and try not to get too hung up on just one cause or situation. Look at the whole picture and be practical.

Thursday, June 21, 2007  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree Snyder does need new housing, but not were the old Lincoln School was. All we are asking for are more crack houses!!!!!!! (Goverment Housing is no the answer!!)

Monday, February 04, 2008  

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