Orange Center Boulevard Community Land Trust Property

• In June 2019, the city entered into an agreement with Hannibal Square Community Land Trust for the redevelopment of six vacant parcels into an estimated $15 million mixed-income residential development. 

• The development will include 30 two-story, 1,664 sq ft, three-bedroom/2.5 bath owner-occupied townhomes with front porches, second-floor balconies, rear-loading two-car garages and private courtyards.

• The development will also include a four-story mixed-use building with 28 rental apartments and 15,400 sq ft of ground floor retail to provide neighborhood serving retail and offer a location where local businesses have an opportunity to grow.

• The prices of both the townhomes and multi-family units will be across a wide range of affordability levels with units available to residents making 40% Average Median Income (AMI) while others will be set aside for rent or sale at market rate.

  • Thirty townhomes:
    • Fifteen of the homes will be sold to families earning between 65% and 80% of AMI; 
    • Nine homes are planned for families earning between 80% and 120% AMI; and
    • Six will be available to any family that meets the mortgage qualifications.   

• Twenty-eight apartments:
  • Eight one-bedroom, one-bath with balcony; approx. 600 sq ft
    • One available at 40% of AMI; two at 50% of AMI; three at 70% of AMI; two at >80% of AMI.
  • Twenty two-bedroom, two-bath with balcony; approx. 1,000 sq ft
    • Two at 40% of AMI; three at 50% of AMI; two at 70% of AMI; eight at 80% of AMI; five at >80% of AMI. 

• The mixed-use building has ground floor commercial/retail/community space and two floors of apartments above. The majority of the building is at three stories, or 41 feet tall.  Portions of the building include a fourth floor for amenity space and meeting rooms, which brings the total building height to 60 feet.  The zoning district allows 35 feet by right, or up to 75 feet with a conditional use application, which was approved by the MPB in January.   

• During the due diligence period, the buyer will submit an application to the city for any land use changes to allow future development. (Considered by City Council on Monday, May 11, 2020).

• Within the due diligence period, Hannibal Square must also submit to the city all necessary paperwork for the establishment of the Community Land Trust which will include the land having a 99 year land lease, ensuring the properties constructed on the site remain affordable.

2017

The city acquired the former Colonial Manor, Lakeview, Savoy and Bunche Manor Apartments sites located along the south side of Orange Center Boulevard and west of Tampa Avenue.

2018

Demolition began of the buildings using federal funds and code enforcement lien funds to eliminate the blight and foster future redevelopment of the site. Demolition was completed in January 2019.

In November 2018, the city released the solicitation for the Orange Center Boulevard site.

Goals included in the solicitation:

• Encourage infill development of affordable housing models varying by cost, type and style, with superior design.
• Increase homeownership opportunities; compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
• Recoup the city’s investment.
• Achieve the city’s diversity goals to help foster the growth of M/WBE city-certified businesses and to maximize participation by the community in the project.

• August 23, 2018 - meeting was held in District 5 to discuss the planned demolition and obtain input on redevelopment goals for the site.

• June 18, 2018 - meeting was held in District 6 to discuss the planned demolition and obtain input on redevelopment goals for the site.

• March 25, 2019 - a council agenda item went before City Council to approve the sale of the property to Hannibal Square Community Land Trust. City Council delayed the vote until May 13, 2019 in order to provide more information to the community as to what a Community Land Trust is and how it works.

• April 25, 2019 – community meeting was held to provide more information about Community Land Trusts and the proposed development. More than 125 residents participated in the meeting.

• May 13, 2019 – City Council approved the purchase and sale agreement with Hannibal Square Community Land Trust for six vacant parcels along the southside of Orange Center Boulevard.

• August 6, 2019 – community meeting hosted at Rock Lake Neighborhood Center to allow residents an opportunity to provide feedback on the development’s design including building aesthetics, green spaces and cultural features. Approximately 60 residents attended.

• August 20, 2019 – community meeting hosted at Rock Lake Neighborhood Center to allow residents to provide additional feedback on exterior design plans and to share any comments or concerns with the development team. Approximately 30 residents attended.

• January 21, 2020, the city’s Municipal Planning Board (MPB) recommended approval of a small-scale GMP Amendment and rezoning from Residential Low Intensity to Residential Medium Intensity future land use and R-1AA and R-3B zoning to Neighborhood Activity Center future land use and AC-N zoning. This was for a 1.36-acre portion of the roughly 4.7 acre site and allows for the construction of the three-story mixed-use building included in the development. The board also approved an associated master plan and conditional use permit related to building height for the mixed-use building majority of which is three stories or 41 feet tall.  Portions of the building include a fourth floor for amenity space and meeting rooms, which brings the total building height to 60 feet.  The zoning district allows 35 feet by right, or up to 75 feet with a conditional use application, which was approved by MPB in January.

• February 24, 2020 – City Council accepted the meeting minutes and approved the actions of the MPB for the meeting of January 21, 2020.

• May 11, 2020 – City Council heard and approved the first reading of the ordinance for the small-scale GMP Amendment and rezoning for the development.

• June 1, 2020 – City Council heard and approved the second reading of the ordinance for the small-scale GMP Amendment and rezoning for the development.