Steps Taken On Housing, Infrastructure At Chadron City Council Meeting

The need for workforce housing in Chadron has an additional solution with the City Council’s approval of the LB840 Workforce Housing Plan Monday.

“It’s a first step,” said council member Cheryl Welch after the plan was approved.

Rob Wahlstrom, who serves on the city’s LB840 committee, said the lack of housing is a common complaint, and the creation of a Workforce Housing Plan will give developers another tool to address the issue.

The plan allows the city to provide loans, loan guarantees, purchase and rental agreements and other types of assistance with its LB840 funds to qualified developers as gap financing for projects within the city limits.

The City of Chadron modeled its plan after Scottsbluff’s, and City Manager John Sutherland said it follows state statutes closely. Developers will have to complete an extensive application, which the LB840 committee will review before making a recommendation to the city council. Wahlstrom noted, when asked, that he didn’t believe the committee would support assistance in the form of grants but added that the final decision would rest with the council.

The council also dealt with other infrastructure matters Monday, including the approval of allowing manufactured homes of any size in the two-miles zone with a special use permit. Current regulations require the home to be 18 feet or wider. In order to qualify for the special use permit, the manufactured home must be built on two I-beams with 2×4 construction, on a permanent foundation with the axels and hitch removed and a HUD seal.

The city will apply for American Rescue Plan funding. The deadline is July 2 for funds that can be used to address water, wastewater and broadband needs within the city. Chadron is eligible for up to $910,000, split into two payments.

“We can put this to good use,” said Mayor Mark Werner.