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Council adopts resolution to create River Bend Heights RHID after public comment
Summary
Council adopted Resolution B3 20 25 to initiate an RHID for River Bend Heights; residents voiced concerns about notice, density, property values, drainage and process; public hearing set for April 17, 2025.
The Lansing City Council adopted Resolution B3 20 25 on March 6, directing notice and scheduling a public hearing for April 17, 2025, on the proposed River Bend Heights residential housing incentive district (RHID). The resolution declares the city’s intent to establish the district, adopts a development plan for housing and public facilities within the proposed district and directs notice to Leavenworth County, Lansing USD 469 and the city’s Planning Commission.
The resolution vote passed on a roll call with council members recorded as voting yes (Mr. Kovaloski; Mr. Garvey; Mr. Robinson; Mr. Clemens; Mr. Brumgard/Brungard; Mr. Studnica; Mr. Gardner; Mr. Kirby). The council chair announced the public hearing date of April 17, 2025, and directed that notice be published and delivered as required by statute.
The item drew an extended public comment period. Residents raised three principal concerns: inadequate notice, compatibility of the proposed higher‑density housing with adjacent neighborhoods, and potential effects on drainage and property values.
Sarah George (532 Holiday Court) told the council she and other residents felt they had only just learned about the proposal and feared the council would make decisions before the April public hearing. John Redden (24171 130th Street, Leavenworth) asked whether the April 17 meeting would include an up‑or‑down vote to create the district; staff responded that the April 17 hearing is the meeting at which the council would vote on whether to create the RHID.
Resident April Cromer (23916 130th Street) said the surrounding neighborhoods (Sherwood Forest, Rock Creek Loop, Knollwood Estates) are characterized by one‑acre lots and newer homes selling for about $650,000; she asked the council to consider compatibility and to drive the area before approving denser development. Cromer and other speakers asked why some nearby property owners had not received individual mailed notice; city staff explained statutory notice requirements differ by action and by whether property is inside or outside city limits, and that the RHID resolution itself triggers required public hearing notice and publication.
City staff and councilors described the RHID program as a state pass‑through property tax incentive to reimburse developers for infrastructure costs (roads, sewer, water, drainage) as they build. Staff said any subsequent rezoning, preliminary plat, drainage and traffic studies would go through the Planning Commission and be publicly noticed; those technical plans had not yet been submitted.
Several speakers urged the council to hold a broader town‑hall style meeting and to coordinate with the school district; several council members encouraged residents to attend the April 17 hearing and to use the city’s posted agenda and opt‑in email blast for updates. No zoning or platting decisions were made at the March 6 meeting; the resolution authorizes the public hearing and statutory notice process.
Actions recorded: the council motioned to adopt Resolution B3 20 25; the motion carried. The chair set the public hearing for April 17, 2025.
