Newton’s Community Development Department is asking the City Council to approve the sale of two City owned lots for a total of $2,000. Community Development Director Erin Chambers says the city acquired the lot at 817 North 3rd Avenue East in 2020 through the Jasper County Tax Certificate process. Chambers says it cost the city $522.00.  A dilapidated house previously sat on the lot and the city paid to have it demolished. She notes the property is 6,006 square feet, which is smaller than the minimum lot size for a new residence under the city’s zoning ordinance. Thomas Weter has offered the city $1,500.00 for the lot. Chambers says Weter intends to incorporate it into the commercial property he owns at 220 East 8th Street North. The other lot at 748 North 3rd Avenue East was obtained through the city’s Dangerous and Dilapidated Buildings program in 2015. Chambers says the city purchased it for $6,100. The city then demolished the old two story former grocery store building which fully occupied the 2,212 square feet lot. With the land being well under minimum lot size limits under Newton’s zoning ordinance, Chambers says the property is not considered a prime candidate for redevelopment. Carey and Janine Nehring own the adjacent property to the north and have offered the city $500.00 to incorporate the lot into their property as yard space. Chambers is recommending these purchase proposals be approved at the City Council meeting this coming Monday night, She says that would remove the maintenance responsibility for the properties from the City, and return them to private ownership and the tax rolls.