Letters split at board meeting over proposed affordable housing; Village Council seeks $20,000 legal study for Morgan Fields lien

The Yellow Springs Exempted Village School Board received four written communications about a proposed affordable housing project, with two letters opposing the proposal and two urging the board to move forward.

Staff summarized that Susan Abendroth raised density concerns and proposed locating small units scattered through the village to avoid creating a concentrated development, while Sarah Sinclair urged focusing resources on current low-income students and cited needs such as funding for an eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C. In support, Marjorie McLen wrote that the project could address both affordable housing shortages and falling enrollment and would allow some graduates to remain in town; Lyn Hardman encouraged cooperation among parties and questioned whether plans for a separate sports complex would become an obstacle.

Separately, board members reported that the Village Council on June 3 voted 5–0 to bring a resolution to its June 17 meeting to allocate $20,000 for legal exploration of removing a lien from three acres at Morgan Fields. Board members said that if a low-income housing tax credit proposal were viable there could be up to $15 million in subsidy to support a roughly 50‑unit affordable family housing development, and the council has begun identifying alternate athletic field sites should the project proceed.

The board did not take action on the letters or on any housing decision at the meeting. Staff noted the letters were entered into the record and board members said they would continue to engage with Village planning and community stakeholders as the housing discussion advances.

The Village Council’s recommended June 17 resolution and the board’s continued discussions are the next steps noted in meeting remarks.