Housing project adjustment, sidewalk repair hearing date approved

Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County is working on a housing project at 333 Jacob St. in Sturgis. 
In 2010, the property was part of a purchase agreement completed with the city of Sturgis. 
The arrangement sold two lots to Habitat For Humanity. 
The first was developed in 2011. The second, the Jacob Street lot, was envisioned to be developed within three years of the agreement. 
As part of the agreement, a mortgage exists on the property. 
As HFH proceeded with the project, the organization inquired with the city regarding utility connection fees. Staff recalled that the previous project involved waiver of fees. That led officials to review the purchase agreement. 
Terms of that agreement included the waiver of fees, but Habitat For Humanity was outside terms of the agreement, since the property was not developed within three years. 
To ensure that development standards established by both parties continue with the new project, the city attorney developed an addendum to the purchase agreement. 
It revises the construction date for the second property to 2027 and leaves the remaining provisions of the initial agreement intact, including waiver of the utility tap fee. 
Sturgis City Commission approved the measure at a meeting in May. 
The city also has set public hearings for July 9, regarding sidewalk work on Vinewood Avenue and East Congress Street. 
In early 2021, commissioners OK’d creation of a small urban road project, which involved an improvement plan in that area, and set two assessment districts. 
The city now is prepared to set the public hearings for both districts to assess funding. Correspondence will be sent to each property owner in the districts, notifying them of the public discussion and the proposed final cost. 
In a separate matter, Will Prichard, community development director, told city commissioners and staff that three requests have been submitted for “urban chicken” permits. 
Access to the permits became available in January 2025. 
In November 2024, voters approved allowance of fowl-keeping by city residents, with specific guidelines.