(KNZA)--A hearing was held during Monday's Hiawatha City Commission meeting on plans to seek a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant for a housing rehabilitation program in the city.

No public comments were received during the hearing.

Garrett Nordstrom, with Governmental Assistance Services, said the grant would allow for the rehab of ten homes and requires a 25 percent local match.

Nordstrom said he plans to submit the grant application to the Kansas Department of Commerce in March.

In other business, the Commission on a 3-2 vote approved a resolution for the creation of a reinvestment housing incentive district.

The district would include 34 acres of city-owned land, west of Bruning Park.

Developer Michael Webb, who is proposing a duplex development on a portion of the property, appeared at the meeting via Zoom. He said creation of the housing incentive district would provide funding for infrastructure improvements.

Commissioners Brian Shefferd and Tom Martin cast the dissenting votes. Shefferd said he was not willing to let the entire 34 acres go.