The Lansing USD 469 Board of Education voted to adopt Resolution 2026-02 denying a proposed $3,000,000 Redevelopment Housing Incentive District (RHID) for the Monroe Manor subdivision after an extended public-comment period and board discussion.

The vote came after residents, city representatives and other speakers presented competing views on whether the RHID was necessary or appropriate. Opponents told the board the development would proceed without the subsidy and that using district-linked tax incentives would divert revenue from public services; proponents, including a city official, said the project would provide lower-priced housing that otherwise would not be built at that price point.

Several members of the public urged the board to reject the incentive. John Redden, a Lansing resident, presented a cost breakdown he said was supplied by the developer and argued the subsidy was unnecessary. "So what's the need for an RHID? It is obvious that this RHID is not needed to motivate Circle h to develop the lots," Redden said, citing the developer's reported per-lot profit projections and a land purchase price of $745,000. Trina Guilford said she had researched the primary builder and cited dozens of negative reviews and online consumer complaints, saying "they were terrible reputation in New Mexico and Texas for building subpar homes." Other commenters warned that a $3,000,000 subsidy would reduce tax revenue available for local services and schools.

City representatives urged a different view. Tony McNeal, speaking for the governing body of the City of Lansing, asked the board to approve the RHID, saying the project would add housing at a price point needed in Lansing. "This 1, due to the term, which is only 6 years, I think is gonna be beneficial to the city," McNeal said, and noted the city expected new tax revenue after the RHID term ended.

Board members debated the policy and fiscal implications. Some members said the district could absorb additional students from the subdivision without new school construction, and that lower-price units could help local workers, including school employees, find housing. Others focused on principle and optics—arguing the district should not divert tax dollars to a developer when many residents have recently faced tax increases.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2026-02 (motion to deny the Monroe Manor RHID): Motion moved (mover not specified in the meeting transcript); second (not specified). Vote recorded as: Missus Coffey — yes; Mister M — yes; Miss Wood — yes; Missus Workman — yes; Mister Bolland — no; Mister Boingart — no; Mister Yoakam — no. Tally: 4 yes, 3 no. Outcome: approved (RHID denied).

Board members and public commenters repeatedly asked for clearer, independent cost and feasibility studies, and some called for stronger local controls or conditions if incentives are ever considered. Several public speakers said the developer would build without the RHID and that the incentive would act as an unnecessary subsidy; city officials countered that without the RHID the development likely would not deliver units at the targeted lower price point.

The action recorded in the meeting is narrowly procedural: the board approved the resolution to deny the specific RHID request for the Monroe Manor project. The developer and the City of Lansing spoke during public comment; the board's vote does not itself change local zoning or site-plan approvals handled by other bodies.

The board meeting also included other business items and personnel actions not related to the RHID vote.

Ending

With Resolution 2026-02 adopted, the board denied the requested $3,000,000 RHID for the Monroe Manor subdivision. City and developer representatives had urged approval, citing lower-price housing and a limited RHID term; opponents emphasized taxpayer impacts and developer profitability. The city and developer may pursue other options outside the school-board process; no further board action on this RHID was recorded in the meeting transcript.