Pittsburg sets Aug. 12 public hearing on proposed 10‑year RHID extension, ownership change for Silverback Landing

The Pittsburg City Commission on July 8 voted to set a public hearing for Aug. 12, 2025, on Resolution 12‑95, a proposed 'substantial change' to the Silverback Landing Rural Housing Incentive District (RHID) that would extend the district’s maximum term from 15 to 25 years and permit a transfer of developer rights to a successor entity.

Residents from Silverback Landing used the meeting’s public‑comment period to press the commission on incomplete site work and stormwater problems. Christie Bender questioned inconsistencies in the resolution exhibits and asked whether Senate Bill 17 applies to the new ownership. Jan Aloy said a promised ornamental emergency gate had been replaced by temporary posts and unreliable barricades. Andrea Linder and other homeowners described retained stormwater, mounds of dirt left ungraded and weeds adjacent to their properties.

City staff told commissioners the resolution does not itself amend the RHID; it simply calls a public hearing and initiates the substantial‑change process required by state law. Garth Herman of Gilmore & Bell, the city’s bond counsel, explained that the RHID Act was amended after 2018 to allow longer reimbursement periods, and that a 'substantial change' (such as extending the district life) triggers a process similar to the district’s original creation. Herman said funds that have been held by the city because project milestones were not met remain on hold and would be disbursed only to the eligible party under an amended development agreement.

Several commissioners and residents asked whether the held tax increment funds would go to the original developer or a successor. Herman replied they would go to the eligible party; the amended development agreement would define who is entitled to reimbursement so long as that party performs the obligations in the agreement. Commissioners also asked why the staff references still cite a 2015 housing‑needs analysis; staff said that analysis underpinned the original 2018 district creation and therefore remains part of the district’s baseline for the amendment process.

Matt Burton, representing Point Forward, a local community development corporation that has a purchase agreement to acquire Silverback Landing (agreement valid through September), told the commission his group is not seeking city funding. Burton said Point Forward’s objectives are to respect existing homeowners, make immediate site improvements (signage, cleanup, landscaping), lower lot costs to speed build‑out, and leverage local builders and trades. He estimated a feasible timeline of two to three years with strong builder support, or up to four to six years if financing constraints persist.

Mayor (unnamed in the transcript) and commissioners emphasized that the resolution simply schedules the formal public hearing; if the sale to a successor developer does not go through, any extension would not be approved. Commissioner Ron moved and Chuck seconded the motion to set the hearing; commissioners voted 'aye' and the motion carried.

Next steps: the city will publish the resolution and exhibits in the local paper and notify USD 250, the Crawford County Board of County Commissioners, and the Pittsburg Planning Commission in advance of the Aug. 12 public hearing. The public hearing is the forum for formal testimony and for any evidence about project compliance, reclaimed tax increment eligibility, and proposed changes to the district plan.