Commission hears NEZ proposal for Lakeshore site and approves two NEZ certificates for Amity Avenue

The City Commission heard two related Neighborhood Enterprise Zone (NEZ) matters on March 24: a developer presentation and public hearing on a proposed NEZ district at 2400 Lakeshore Drive, and a separate hearing on NEZ certificate applications for two Amity Avenue infill homes.

Development analyst Isabella Gonzalez told the commission the 2400 Lakeshore request would designate roughly 65.46 acres at the Sappi redevelopment as a NEZ new‑construction area. She said notice to affected taxing jurisdictions was mailed on Feb. 12, 2026; state timing rules require a public hearing within 45 days and the resolution establishing a district cannot be adopted until at least 60 days after notice. If approved later, staff estimated the city’s NEZ acreage would increase from about 13.34% to roughly 14.1% of municipal acreage — still under the statutory 15% cap.

Developer representatives said they pared the proposed district to only parcels that would qualify for NEZ benefits to avoid using up the city’s NEZ allocation unnecessarily. They also said environmental testing and due‑care planning remain in process and that work will continue with consultants and state regulators.

Separately, the commission approved neighborhood enterprise zone certificates for two single‑family homes at 577 and 723 Amity Avenue, submitted by Robert Musi Builders LLC. Staff described 577 Amity as a three‑bedroom, 1½‑bath home and 723 Amity as a two‑bedroom, one‑bath unit with potential to add a bedroom and bath; the NEZ would reduce property taxes for qualifying owner‑occupants by roughly 50% for up to 15 years. Builder Bob Musi described the homes, projected pricing in a range discussed on the record, and said the NEZ helps financing for end buyers.

Commissioners asked about environmental testing at the Lakeshore site, average pricing and unit sizes for the Amity homes, survey and staking practices for infill lots, and neighborhood outreach. Staff and developers answered that environmental approvals are ongoing, lots have been surveyed, and that the district plan would return for formal establishment at the April meeting before any certificates or applications are approved.

What happens next: The NEZ district creation for 2400 Lakeshore will return to the commission on April 14 for further consideration. The Amity NEZ certificates were approved and the clerk and mayor were authorized to sign related documents.