Commission declares Hartwood lots surplus and authorizes conveyance to a community‑land‑trust model

The commission voted to declare 16 vacant lots in the Hartwood subdivision surplus for affordable housing and to solicit proposals from affordable‑housing organizations to implement a community‑land‑trust (CLT) model. Staff and GCRA representatives told the commission the CLT approach would preserve long‑term affordability through a ground‑lease model: homeowners would purchase and occupy homes while the ground would remain under long‑term CLT control, enabling lower purchase prices and resale restrictions that maintain affordability over time.

To enable construction, the commission authorized a conveyance to a responsive CLT and a funding agreement of $1,408,924 to support the construction of 16 single‑family homes. Staff explained modifications to Hartwood’s covenants to permit the CLT ground‑lease approach (section change to allow a CLT exception to the existing no‑rental restriction) and said the CLT would be structured as a single entity required to sell homes to income‑eligible buyers, place a 99‑year ground lease and retain first‑right‑of‑refusal to preserve long‑term affordability. The city would also direct existing GCRA funds toward the project and keep architectural standards consistent with the existing neighborhood so homes are indistinguishable by income tier.

Commissioners and public speakers discussed the long history of Hartwood/Housing projects on the site and stressed the urgency of completing the subdivision after market constraints slowed a city‑led build‑out. The plan aims to speed completion while meeting the neighborhood’s expressed preference for owner‑occupied housing rather than rental or investor‑leased units. The commission approved the surplus declaration and authorized the manager to accept applications, convey lots and execute the funding agreement; the vote was unanimous among present commissioners.