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Commission revises Nelson House sale conditions: owner-occupancy retained, up to four units allowed, reserve price pending CMAs
Summary
Staff and the commission updated conditions of sale for the relocated Nelson House: owner-occupancy in perpetuity will remain, single-family restriction removed to allow up to four units under zoning, timelines lengthened, water/sewer connection fees may be waived, and staff will solicit a realtor via RFP; the commission approved the amendments.
The City Commission on March 11 approved revised conditions of sale for the Nelson House after staff recommended changes aimed at widening the pool of potential buyers while retaining owner-occupancy requirements.
Jamie Pesch, Planner 3, told the commission the changes retain owner occupancy “in perpetuity” but remove the prior single-family limitation; zoning allows up to four units and the house’s roughly 7,000 gross square feet and a basement with potential egress make additional units feasible. Pesch said the city will set a reserve price after averaging three comparative-market analyses (CMAs) and indicated staff is finalizing those appraisals.
Pesch outlined additional changes: waiving the city’s water and sewer connection fees (subject to applicable conditions), extending the project completion timeline from 12 to 24 months, and lengthening deadlines to start exterior and interior work (exterior: 120 days after closing; interior: 180 days after closing). She also said staff would solicit realtors through an RFP and present recommendations to the commission for listing. Regarding the roof, staff said roof-cost estimates are being collected and could be incorporated into the reserve price or listed condition.
Commissioners asked about marketing, historic-district review and financial inputs. Pesch said the Historic District Commission’s jurisdiction is limited to exterior changes and that interior reconfiguration to create additional units would not fall under HDC review. Staff said the city has invested roughly $250,000 to move and preserve the house and that any shortfall on sale proceeds could be recouped over time through brownfield-generated taxes. After discussion, the commission voted to approve the revised conditions and direct staff to proceed with solicitation and sale processes; the motion was made by Commissioner Keener and supported by Commissioner Kilgo.
