Eustis staff identifies small city parcels as buildable lots; commissioners ask for solicitation options and safeguards

City staff presented four city‑owned parcels on Sept. 18 that they identified as potentially subdividable into multiple single‑family lots and recommended advertising the properties to solicit proposals.

Properties and development potential

Staff described parcels near Gould Street (66 feet by 132 feet), two parcels at Dawes and Getford Court (45x85 and 66x85 feet) and a Pinkney Street parcel (about 60x170 feet). The staff assessment said the four parcels could be subdivided into approximately five buildable lots for single‑family homes. All parcels lie within the Community Redevelopment Area (CRA).

Statutory process and conditions

Staff cautioned that sales or transfers would follow Florida Statute 163.38, which requires public advertisement of CRA property opportunities for a minimum period (staff cited a 30‑day minimum solicitation). Commissioners discussed whether the city could include development conditions — for example, time limits for construction, requirements that buyers be Eustis residents or that homes remain affordable for a defined period — and staff said the solicitation can be written to include such criteria and potential clawbacks if requirements are not met.

Interest from Habitat for Humanity and commission direction

Matt Myrick of Habitat for Humanity told the commission Habitat typically has families ready to build when a site is available and that the organization has experience receiving parcels with turnaround provisions. Commissioners favored prioritizing local, first‑time home buyers and faster build timelines; several commissioners said they preferred to avoid transfers to buyers likely to “hold” lots without building.

Staff asked for direction on whether to proceed with a statutory advertisement and to return with specific solicitation language and options. Commissioners asked staff to prepare options that would restrict use to affordable housing or partner builds, define timelines and include reversion or clawback mechanisms if homes are not built. No formal vote to convey or sell property occurred at the meeting.

Clarifying details and values

Staff noted the property appraiser shows market values in the low thousands for some parcels (roughly $6,000 listed market value for certain lots), and that the city previously used a “Mode to Own” program that did not result in construction, prompting the current, more structured solicitation approach.

Ending

Staff will draft solicitation options that include desired restrictions and return to the commission for further direction. Habitat for Humanity indicated it would submit its interest once the city posts the sites and will look for opportunities that pair build sites with families on its waiting list.