City Commissioners will conduct a public hearing Tuesday on the proposed annexation of 20.5 acres for a proposed housing development from NeighborWorks Great Falls.

NWGF is proposing an 85-lot subdivision along 20th Street South and 24th Avenue South with 50 lots dedicated to the mutual self-help program.

The proposed development also includes 33 lots for one and two-bedroom Cottage style homes ranging from 800 square feet to about 1,200 square feet. Three model Cottage homes will be developed in the summer of 2019 as part of phase 1 and the rest would be developed in four phases over the next five years.

City staff are recommending approval and the planning board voted to recommend approval.

During the Aug. 14 planning board meeting, some residents who live near the proposed development raised concerns about traffic, dust control and sidewalk requirements. In the case of one area resident opposed to the project, former Commissioner Fred Burow, the sidewalk installation requirements are laid out in the annexation agreement he signed in 2007.

Another resident asked during that meeting about the impact to Sunnyside Elementary School. City staff have since contacted Great Falls Public Schools, which verified that the school is not at capacity and the district could adjust to an increase in students.

The property being considered for annexation borders the city limits on two sides and is directly west of the already approved 124-unit Rockcress Commons project.

City approves annexation for rights-of-way for Rockcress Commons apartment complex

In conjunction with the proposed annexation of the subject properties, the adjacent right-of-way of 24th Avenue South is also proposed to be annexed into city limits.

The applicant is requesting a Planned Unit Development zoning for the project.

More background on the project can be found here:

City to consider annexation for 85-lot NWGF development on southern edge