(KNZA)--Plans for a new housing development in Hiawatha are moving ahead following action by the City Commission. 

In a 3–2 vote Monday evening, commissioners approved a grant agreement with the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation for a 650-thousand-dollar medium-income housing grant that will help support the proposed Villas of Beautiful Maples project—a 10-unit duplex development planned west of Bruning Park. The mayor was also authorized to sign the agreement.

Commissioners Brian Shefferd and Tom Martin voted against the measure, saying they preferred to table the item for two weeks. Shefferd said there are still too many unanswered questions to proceed at this time. 

During public comment, former commissioner Toni Hull voiced similar concerns, urging officials to delay action and saying residents have not been fully informed.

Local resident Virginia Freeze spoke in support of the project.  She said limited housing continues to make it difficult for local employers to attract workers, and she believes the new duplexes would be fully occupied.

In other business, rural resident Gordon Hooper raised concerns about conditions at the Hiawatha Municipal Airport. He told commissioners the runway is currently unusable and urged the city to develop a repair plan ahead of the upcoming crop-dusting season.

And commissioners approved the lone bid from Kansas City-based Vance Brothers for chip sealing work on West Oregon Street. The project will cost just under 91-thousand dollars, including striping. Public Works Director Dominic Grier noted the street has not been chip sealed in more than ten years.