During the Dec. 2 Board of Commissioners’ meeting, Scott Clack, who owns multiple building and development companies, proposed a subdivision be built to offer affordable housing around Frazier Drive to the local workforce, specified by an agreement between his company and the county on who would be qualified.
Clark’s company previously completed the Ivy League Estate and Legacy Mill homes in Milledgeville. This new proposed subdivision would include 123 houses at 179 Fraizer Dr. and was presented at the Oconee Heights Collaborative meeting in November.
“The most common thing we are hearing is there is no affordable housing for our first responders and public safety,” said Clark. “So, we are proposing a subdivision called Frazier Woods, an affordable path to home ownership. It will not be marketed to the public until it has been marketed to all city and county workforce employees. They have the first right to choose these homes.”
According to County Manager Carlos Tobar, the first priority is identified as Baldwin County unincorporated residents in Districts 1 and 2. The second priority is the City of Milledgeville District 2 residents, Baldwin County employee first responders and all other employees, Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin first responders and all other employees, BCSD employees and first responders, Georgia College first responders and all other employees, Central Georgia Technical College first responders and all other employees, and City of Milledgeville first responders and all other employees. Then, priority moves to Baldwin County renters, Baldwin County Department of Public Health employees, Development Authority of Milledgeville-Baldwin employees, UGA Extension Baldwin County employees, and any other person employed in Baldwin.
Each condo will have three bedrooms and two and half bathrooms with individual garages, patios, and sidewalks. The subdivision will be sodded to “look nice” and a Homeowners Association will maintain lawn care and an annual pressure wash.
“When we first started talking about the development, we were in the $229,000 to $249,000 range. That includes development, land and building costs, but through this initiative with the grant, local partnerships and deals, and other factors, the price has been lowered to $189,900. For the workforce, however, their discount will set the price to $174,900.”
Clark also stated that one of the four-condo units will be completely furnished, including appliances, and donated to Habitat for Humanity.
“We are asking your consideration for the OneGeorgia Grant to be used on this project. We have dropped the price by $55,000 with the community discounting supplies and labor and taking this grant into account,” said Clark.
According to County Manager Carlos Tobar, there are two agreements in relation to the $2.5 million OneGeorgia grant. One agreement is with the county and OneGeorgia Authority for the infrastructure. Therefore, if all the houses are not purchased, Clark would be responsible for paying the infrastructure costs back to the state.
“We have to submit the pre-application a week from today (Dec. 2) and we will be told if we are invited for the formal application. When we submit the formal application, we will have an agreement with Scott’s LLC between it and the county that says this is to not be sold to investors,” said Tobar.
Clark added, “I wanted this agreement to ensure we are doing what is best for the county. We want to make sure the housing goes to whoever needs it first before it goes to the public.”
Commissioners unanimously approved submitting a grant application for the Rural Housing Initiative.