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Yankton County declares 1215 Whiting Street surplus and agrees to deed lot to Habitat for Humanity with conditions
Summary
The commission declared a county-owned parcel at 1215 Whiting Street excess surplus and voted to deed it to Habitat for Humanity for development of at least two owner-occupied homes; commissioners added conditions including a development timeline and reversion if conditions are unmet.
Yankton County commissioners declared a county-owned parcel, 1215 Whiting Street, excess surplus and approved deeding it to Habitat for Humanity on Dec. 16, subject to development conditions.
County staff explained the parcel carries roughly $25,000 in back taxes and that demolition and cleanup costs make the lot unattractive to private buyers. A Habitat representative described a neighborhood-focused plan to build two to three owner-occupied units—potentially a duplex plus a house or a small multiplex—and said Habitat can bring financing and construction support through state housing partners and local school-built projects.
Commissioners discussed safeguards before conveyance: they requested a minimum of two owner-occupied homes, a requirement that work begin within three years of transfer, and a reversion clause if development does not proceed. One commissioner suggested limiting abatements on the new units to preserve the county’s tax base; Habitat’s representative said the organization focuses on owner-occupancy and does not intend to sell to absentee landlords.
The commission also asked the county state's attorney to verify any pending legal issues related to the property (police response and potential evidence concerns were raised during site visits) before final conveyance. The motion to declare the property surplus and deed it to Habitat passed; staff and Habitat will return with formal deed terms and any required legal clearances.
Why it matters: Conveying a county-owned blighted parcel to a nonprofit for owner-occupied housing aims to increase tax rolls over time, improve neighborhood quality and leverage state housing programs. The reversion and build-timeline conditions preserve county interest if the development does not occur.
What’s next: Habitat will seek board approval and finalize its internal commitments; county attorneys will confirm there are no unresolved legal or evidence-hold issues; the parties will return in January to finalize deed terms and related agreements.
