Medford committee backs high school building homes on privately owned Simek lots with reimbursement after construction

The Medford City Committee of the Whole on Jan. 12 recommended that the City Council allow the Medford Area High School to build homes on privately purchased lots in the Simek subdivision and reimburse the lot price once a home is completed. The motion was moved by Tim Hansen and seconded by Laura Holmes; the committee recorded seven ayes and one no vote (Michael Bub).

The proposal stems from a partnership between the high school's technical education program and homebuilders, which this year included Wausau Homes and Wanke Builders. Jason Wanke and Mike Brandner previously purchased lots in the Simek subdivision; school staff and the property owners discussed whether the school could build on those lots. City staff members said the program has been successful and that the city currently has three lots that are either unsold or do not have an accepted offer.

Committee members discussed whether a lot donated by an owner and built on by the school should count toward any rule that limits lot reimbursement; the Committee recommended that the city reimburse the price of the lot only once a home has been constructed on that lot. The minutes note Mike Brandner agreed to donate one lot to the school and that he would only be reimbursed for the single lot on which a home is constructed.

The Committee’s recommendation now goes to the full City Council for final approval. If the Council approves the recommendation, the city will reimburse the lot price to the owner after construction is complete under the terms described at the meeting.