Nearly everyone agrees Webster City needs more housing. Kading Properties is set to break ground this summer or fall on the first phase of a rental apartment community off Wall Street. A year ago, a revised plat for Lynx Development No. 2 off Edgewood Drive, was approved, with lots earmarked for new single-family homes.

Recently, Origin Homes of West Des Moines, told the city it was interested in building new single-family homes here, but it found the cost of lots in Brewer Creek Estates Additions 5 and 6 wouldn’t allow them to hit price points new home buyers can afford. Previously, the council asked staff to study the matter and bring forward proposals. That is expected at tonight’s meeting.

The city has invested $2.76 million to improve Brewer Creek 5 and 6, including sewers, roads, and water mains, but only 13 of 52 lots in the subdivisions have been sold since 2017. Now, nearly 10 years later, to support its aggressive economic development goals, the city is motivated to see faster uptake of the lots, add new homes to tax rolls, and recoup its investment.

Two other property-related items are on the agenda: sale of a vacant lot at 128 Apple Ave., and setting of a public hearing to sell two city-owned parcels on the west side. The parcels are abandoned railroad right-of-way between Fair and Woolsey Avenues at the edge of the recent Kwik Star convenience store development.

As agreed previously, the city will pursue a rural economic development loan through USDA in support of the redevelopment of the former Natural Shrimp building, 401 Des Moines St., into a factory that would bottle protein drinks for Edible Gardens Prairie Hills LLC. The project is on a fast-track to completion with production commencing as early as the end of this year. The firm plans to hire 42 employees locally.

The meeting begins tonight at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Second St, and is open to the public.