Cold Spring Affordable Housing Project Stuck in Limbo

COLD SPRING -- The decision to approve or deny a proposed $7 million affordable housing project in Cold Spring was deadlocked at tonight's (Tuesday) city council meeting.

A 32-unit affordable housing project to be built on tax-forfeited land in the Blue Heron Heights neighborhood was proposed by Sand Companies to the city council at their meeting two weeks ago.

That news sparked opposition by the Cold Spring community, prompting a petition against the plan. Members of the community packed the Cold Spring City Hall and spilled out into the hallways as the city council discussed the plan with Sand Co. representatives.

Several community members voiced their concerns to Mayor Bob Thelen and the rest of the council. The most common concerns included the increased traffic the project would create, the possible decrease in value of surrounding properties, and the city's contributions.

After nearly two hours of discussion, the council's attempt to deny the proposal was thwarted as voting stood in a 2-2 stalemate.

Members of the council agreed the city needs more housing and would like to see the vacant lots used for something -- annual tax revenue from the project is estimated to bring in more than $18,000 -- but were not sure this was the right project for the area.

A decision was made for the council to either fully approve or deny the proposal at their next meeting scheduled for May 24th.

Representatives for Sand Co. said they may have to abandon the proposed project by that time.