City waives nuisance liens to support Lane Change redevelopment into transitional housing on Pearl Street

The Lebanon City Council approved a redevelopment agreement with Lane Change Incorporated that waives accrued demolition and nuisance abatement fees for three parcels at 145, 154 and 157 Pearl Street, in exchange for the developer's commitment to redevelop the lots into transitional housing within five years.

Lauren Mitchell, director of Lane Change, told the council her organization has been pursuing the properties for roughly 18 months and intends to use them to expand a women's residential discipleship and recovery program (named in the presentation as Shayla's Lighthouse). She said the current phase includes foundations already poured for related housing and that the Pearl Street homes will offer two‑bedroom, two‑bath units sized near 1,100 square feet.

City staff said the properties had been recently demolished under nuisance abatement and sold at the courthouse steps with demolition liens attached; the agreement refunds accrued demolition fees to Lane Change as part of a redevelopment commitment. Lauren said the organization expects donated labor and a local foundation contribution to offset construction costs and that the homes will be owned by Lane Change and rented to program participants and other recovery‑focused residents.

Why it matters: The agreement repurposes three formerly blighted lots for supportive housing tied to recovery services, keeping the properties under nonprofit ownership with a redevelopment timeline.

Outcome: The ordinance passed on first and second readings with unanimous council approval.