Kimball planning commission looks at housing study

The City of Kimball Planning Commission received an update on the comprehensive housing study at its Jan. 19 meeting.

Hanna:Keelan is the firm that is handling Kimball’s comprehensive plan, which includes a housing study. This extensive housing study includes a listing and rating of all the houses in Kimball. Currently, Kimball is lacking in houses for large families, which are houses that have three to four bedroom.

The study pointed out that Kimball does have a large number of what some might consider “lock and leave” housing. This type of housing is appealing to seniors who travel a lot, or leave their home for an extended period of time.

Lonnie Dickson, a representative of Hanna:Keelan and the person in charge of spearheading the Kimball comprehensive plan, stated that the city is lacking in quite a few things that younger families are looking for in a home.

“You are getting families in here that are larger. They want three and four bedroom homes, with yards for the kids to play in, and we’re just not seeing this as much of an option in Kimball,” Dickson said.

Right now the study and comprehensive plan is looking at determining what Kimball already has so the city will be able to see where to go with economic development and additional planning.

A map was provided that listed all the types of properties in Kimball in a color coded fashion, which allowed a visual of what Kimball is working with. The map shows an overall view of Kimball now and it is designed to help the city decide if it wants to zone areas now in order to entice companies.

At this moment, it is possible to go to the planning commission and ask the members to zone an area for a interested company. However, already zoned properties have benefits.

Dickson said already zoned areas are more enticing to companies looking to build or looking to be a part of a community, and it also provides the city with a bit more structure and control. The city can decide to put more commercial and visitor properties near highways and residential properties near quiet areas. Industrial areas can be put near railroads, which seems to be beneficial for them.

Dickson said that it might be beneficial to invite members of the public to attend the updates in order to get some perspective on what Kimball might need.

City Administrator Daniel Ortiz agreed with Dickson that the public should be invited to meetings. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings as they are public. However, specific members of the community will be asked to attend due to their extensive knowledge of what might be lacking in the Kimball area.

Dickson also discussed Kimball’s strengths, which includes its location. Interstate 80 and Hwy. 71 both pass near or through Kimball. It was suggested that Kimball should pay attention to how to utilize that as its greatest strength.

Many people believe Kimball will be the site of another oil boom in the future. Dickson said that the reality is that if Kimball wants people to stick around, it must prepare by giving the modern family the amenities they look for in a household.

The next planning commission meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 16.