BY BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
New evidence that Decatur continues to grow was aired at the April 4 city council meeting when it was announced that the Lake Shores subdivision on the east side of the city is planning to expand.
An unnamed attorney for Lake Shores said the subdivision is asking that the city annex just under 25 acres of land on which as many as 70 new homes could be constructed in the future.
“This will add to the value of Decatur,” said Councilman Matt Dyer, a Lake Shores resident. “This is good news.”
A fiscal plan must be developed, City Attorney Anne Razo explained. The plan will include a number of factors, such as services to be provided by the city.
Razo will prepare the fiscal plan, with the unnamed developer to cover the cost. Council gave its approval for her to move forward.
Dyer said the expansion is expected to start slowly and may take a number of years to add as many of 70 homes.
Several areas of the city are growing, such as the Cross Creek development in the northwest corner of the city.
More housing is needed, though. To that end, Adams County Economic Development Director Colton Bickel recently held a housing symposium.
Mayor Dan Rickord said at the council meeting that he wanted to thank Bickel for his efforts in setting up the symposium. “Our city needs housing,” he said. This was a good stop forward. A want to thank everyone who showed up.”
“I want to thank Colton for being aggressive; hats off to Colton,” Dyer said.
“I agree,” Councilman Wylie Sirk chimed in.