The Pella City Council is in the process of addressing a growing need in the community.

At this week’s meeting following regular business, the council received a presentation about increasing housing demands in the community and possible policy options to incentivize development. City Administrator Mike Nardini tells KNIA/KRLS News a housing study completed by Central College, Marion County Economic Development and the PACE Alliance shows the city needs to significantly increase housing stock.

“We looked for current demands for housing as they currently sit at also what would be the demands would be through the year 2025,” he says. “The assessment identified an additional 996 units that were needed in the Pella market.”

He says the council discussed possible tax incentives for developers to help fill more than 60 lots ready for building. Nardini says the council will hold multiple discussions during policy and planning over the next few months to explore possibilities to grow the amount of available dwellings for residents.