Clearwater oks annexation of two parcels

Two property parcels that should have been annexed into the Village of Clearwater 14 years ago will finally be added.

"Someone dropped the ball," Jay Snider told Clearwater village officials during a Nov. 11 meeting at the fire hall meeting room.

Following a recommendation from the Clearwater Planning Commission, which met earlier that afternoon, village trustees amended Ordinance 2024-8, which would annex parcels 000660500 and 000660501.

Mentions of a third parcel, 000660200, were struck from the resolution.

The two parcels are located south of the village's small ball field, on Montana Street. Village officials are contemplating a new housing development on the property.

Chairman Kelly Kerkman asked Jay Snider, owner of the 660501 parcel, if he had concerns regarding annexation.

“We’re still waiting for John (Zwingman) for more information,” Kerkman said. “Unfortunately, we don’t have an answer on your property until we figure out.”

Snider questioned how many lots could potentially be included in the development.

Two options were presented by Zwingman, the village’s engineer, in August. One would include 12 lots, the other features 11.

Snider expressed concerns with three of the lots, due to water flowing through the property.

Zwingman, owner of Advanced Consulting Engineering Services, is still working on surveying the property for drainage. A retention pond has been proposed, with slow release toward Nebraska Street.

There may be other layout configurations. Once surveying is completed and Zwingman has an opportunity to develop options, “We can get our hands on some actual numbers and data, instead of just throwing stuff on a spread sheet, have a more concrete plan instead of a rough estimate,” Kester said.

According to an article in the Aug. 28 edition of SAM, the proposed cost to complete phase one of a subdivision, which would be directly south of the small ball field, would run $424,434. Estimates included in the project would cover earthwork, water and sewer improvements, paving and storm sewer improvements, with an estimated construction cost of $353,695. Contingencies, set at 10%, and engineering costs would be $35,369.50 apiece.

The total cost per lot could run just shy of $71,000.

The second phase estimates, located south of the Snider property, are approximately $400,704, which runs $66,784 per lot.

Water and sewer improvements are higher, while paving and storm sewer improvements are nearly $24,000 less.

Kerkman said the village will pursue grant opportunities to assist with infrastructure.

“This is a two-year project before we even break ground. We have to see what money is out there. These (potential subdivision designs) were to see if the public was for it.”

According to Kester, there is a definite lack of housing stock available in the village.

“You can’t find any place. This is just to remedy that a little bit and find a spot to have Accessibility to build houses,” Kester added.

“I don’t see how you can do all that and give it to someone, you know what I mean, down the road,” Snider said.

Kester noted that nothing will be given away.

“We have to figure out what it costs, how much tax revenue it could generate,” Kester said. “Doing an economic feasibility study on it, if we add 10 more water meters into the city, that will help mitigate increasing water costs. We look at how we can grow and not add more costs,” he said. “We have to try to be a proactive.”