FARGO (KFGO) - A planned affordable housing project once opposed by neighbors in upscale neighborhoods in south Fargo is seeing a building boom.
Mayor Tim Mahoney is one two city commission members who initially voted against the Bison Meadows plan. The commission eventually approved a replat after some changes which scaled down the project. Mahoney says affordable housing is a top city priority and the market is reacting to what people can pay.
The city planning office says streets for 62 lots were completed last month and building permits were "immediately" issued for 20 homes and the developer has now asked for more streets. Thomsen Homes has plans for 347 houses, down from nearly 400.
Commissioner Tony Grindberg says smaller lots make the homes more affordable and special assessments will also be lower. Bison Meadows home prices start at $200,000.
City planners say building permits in adjacent subdivisions that protested Bison Meadows are much lower because of higher costs.