photo by: Shawn Valverde/Journal-World

A close-up view of the Shadow Ridge subdivision on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024. The Eudora City Commission voted Monday night to establish two special tax districts, including one for Shadow Ridge North, to help the development of hundreds of houses in the city.

The Eudora City Commission voted Monday to approve a pair of special incentive districts meant to spur housing developments that could eventually bring over 250 single-family units and 49 duplexes to the city.

The commission voted to establish two Reinvestment Housing Incentive Districts in two separate votes and after two public hearings: one for the Shadow Ridge North development which plans to include 146 single-family lots southwest of Eudora High School, and one for the Holladay Woods development, which is anticipated to include approximately 119 single-family residential units and 49 duplex units north of Kansas Highway 10 and east of East 2100 Road.

Commissioners approved the Shadow Ridge North district with a 4-0 vote with one abstention; commissioners voted 3-1, with one abstention, for the Holladay Woods district. Commissioner Grant High abstained because of his work for a local bank involved with the developments, while Commissioner Jason Musick was the lone no vote against the Holladay Woods project due to traffic concerns.

The special taxing districts will mean the developers of the two projects can qualify for state tax incentives that will assist with funding infrastructure in the new development. As the Journal-World reported, the special districts will not impact existing property tax costs, but it will use new property taxes from the development to reimburse the developer for public improvements like streets, utilities and stormwater systems.

Zack Daniel, the city manager for Eudora, told the Journal-World via email that according to development agreements, the developers for Shadow Ridge North must commence construction within 12 months, while the developers for the Holladay Woods development must start within 18 months.

The developments will bring in more houses to the city, which Daniel noted helps the city’s overall finances by bringing in more outside commercial interest, adding more kids in the school district and generating more local sales tax, but the Holladay Woods development in particular adds a greater variety of options through the duplexes. In addition, Daniel said that 25% of those duplexes will be developed specifically for senior housing.

photo by: Screenshot

The site for the proposed Holladay Woods development, which is anticipated to include approximately 119 single-family residential units and 49 duplex units.

Daniel said the initiation work at the developments would be focused on site preparation — like building utility extensions and street infrastructure — but he previously told the Journal-World he expects building permits will be issued before the end of the year. Not all of the nearly 300 buildings will go up at once, with Daniel saying the houses will be built “at a manageable pace” to ensure the city can “adequately prepare for the new residences and infrastructure.” He anticipated the full build out for the developments will be completed in “seven to 10 years.”

The need to add more housing is crucial for managing Eudora’s growth, Daniel said. Last year, the city issued just 12 building permits for new single-family homes. With these projects, Daniel said the city is taking “tangible steps” in helping the city grow and is excited to see what comes next.

“It’s a good time to be in Eudora,” Daniel said.