After heated debate, Page council votes 4–3 to sell two city lots rather than pursue temporary employee housing

The Page City Council voted 4–3 on June 24 to sell two city‑owned lots at 105 and 109 Arrow Avenue, ending a year‑long discussion about whether the parcels should serve as temporary employee housing.

Staff presented background on the R15‑zoned properties: two lots just under 5,000 square feet each, acquired in July 2025 for about $42,000 per lot (including cleanup). Staff estimated that installing a manufactured or modular home could cost between $120,000 and $250,000 per lot depending on amenities. After weighing neighborhood compatibility, long‑term management and administrative costs, and limited unit yield, staff recommended sale and suggested proceeds be used for other blight‑remediation or housing strategy efforts.

Council debate was sharply divided. Councilor Coogan urged installation of modular homes as a short‑term bridge for recruits, noting difficulty retaining public safety employees without housing. Councilor Preller and others raised fiscal concerns and the likelihood that sales proceeds would be modest. Councilor Hammond, supporting staff, argued that existing and forthcoming larger housing projects and the cost/management burden made sale the better option. An amended motion to sell the lots (removing an immediate blight‑fund allocation) passed on roll call 4–3 (Mayor Kidman, Councilors Hedinger, Preller and Hammond voting yes; Vice Mayor Ferro, Councilor Rountree and Councilor Coogan voting no). Council directed staff to return with further options and suggested bringing a blight‑fund item to a future agenda if desired.

Staff recorded that the city paid appraised values minus cleanup costs when acquiring the lots and that auction or negotiated sale with a reserve price were possible sale strategies; deed restrictions to control future uses were discussed as potentially difficult to enforce depending on sale method.