Sandusky Land Bank Committee OKs sale of 813 North Depot Street for senior-duplex pilot

The Sandusky Land Bank Committee voted May 19 to sell a city-owned lot at 813 North Depot Street to Serving Our Seniors in partnership with Sand Hill Craftsman for a pilot two-unit housing project aimed at eligible seniors.

The committee approved the sale unanimously during the meeting and will forward the recommendation and related documents to the City Commission for consideration on June 9. Staff described the proposal as a pilot to test a model for senior housing that other neighboring municipalities could adopt if successful.

Staff said the unimproved parcel measures 44 by 99 feet and is valued at $6,670; the recommended purchase price in the packet was $1,500 plus closing costs, which staff said is consistent with current Land Bank policies. The parcel is currently tax-exempt; staff said that once developed it would be "eligible for the 75 percent 10 year tax payment" as described in the materials provided to the committee.

Debbie, the department director who presented the item, said she had met with Serving Our Seniors, Sand Hill Craftsman and planning staff and included a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and a business plan in the packet. "This would be a bit of a departure" from the land bank's traditional focus on single-family owner-occupancy, she said, but staff recommended the pilot because of the need for affordable senior housing.

Serving Our Seniors representatives and project partners described the proposed arrangement: the builder (identified in the packet as Mr. Olson of Sand Hill Craftsman) would finance and own the property after construction; the nonprofit would subsidize rents and exercise controls on rent levels. Committee materials indicated rent would start at about $800 to $850 per month "depending on occupancy," and that the nonprofit would monitor rents and eligibility.

Committee members raised questions about enforcement of tenant restrictions in the MOU, including a clause limiting visitors to no more than three consecutive nights and requirements that the unit remain a principal residence. One committee member suggested that inspection language should require written notice; staff agreed to incorporate clearer written-notice procedures into the oversight section of the MOU.

Members also discussed the length of the occupancy restriction in the draft MOU. Materials attached to the packet indicated a 30-year restriction; presenters said they planned to change the restriction to 20 years in the MOU before it goes to the City Commission. Serving Our Seniors indicated a target closing date in October or November and said they planned to begin interior work after closing.

A committee member made the motion to approve the sale and the motion was seconded. Roll call recorded affirmative votes from the members present and the motion passed. Staff said they will finalize closing documents and present the committee's recommendation to the City Commission on June 9.

If approved by the commission, the project would proceed as a pilot intended to demonstrate a senior housing model that the land bank could promote to other jurisdictions.