Council sets next steps on Glass Farm appraisal, RFP timing and housing goals

The retreat shifted from problem definition to action planning for the village’s housing ambitions, with Glass Farm — a village-owned parcel — central to the discussion.

Members recommended an appraisal of Glass Farm (and Corey's Creek) to understand available equity that can be leveraged in a future developer RFP. One council member proposed an RFP target date ranging from December of the current year to April of the following year; others favored setting specific housing-type targets (for example, a goal for X number of new units at 60% AMI) tied to the Bowen housing study findings. The Bowen study was described as near completion and expected to provide absorption and unit‑type guidance.

Council debated whether to hire dedicated housing staff (a "housing lead") versus relying on planning staff and committees. Many members argued a dedicated staffer would sustain momentum, manage appraisals, coordinate community engagement and pursue soft-cost items (appraisals, site studies, polls). Others urged care to avoid organizational silos and emphasized pairing any hire with clear goals and oversight. Several councilors proposed a two-council-member working subgroup plus staff to drive near-term tasks and reconvene in late May or a June retreat after the Bowen study and the Planning & Zoning Administrator hire.

Next steps agreed by the group: commission appraisals on Glass Farm (and Corey's Creek), set housing-type targets informed by the Bowen report, decide RFP timing once the appraisal and Bowen results are in, and identify a small council/staff working group to keep momentum. Council did not commit to a permanent commission or hire at the retreat; it planned follow-up meetings after the Bowen deliverable and planning hire.