Warren City Council approved a minor subdivision request from Home Street Development, LLC, at its meeting Monday evening that paves the way for work to begin in earnest at the site of the former Home Street Elementary School.
Developer Ruzdhi Bakalli wrote in an email last Friday, "I have received one bid for the first house and next week I am going to receive the second bid and then I am going to choose the modular home manufacturer.
"Next week, the development signs will be put at the site...It takes eight weeks to complete the house so I expect that in September the first house will be ready for sale."
Part of the project is to build 10 single-family and duplexes by the end of 2013.
City Planning Director David Hildebrand informed council on Monday that the development group is seeking to alter the property from 14 to 10 lots.
"This is the 1917 subdivision as it was called from the Clark Farm," Hildebrand said. "The main reason (for the subdivision) is today's home, they feel this is going to give extra space for the housing going from the 14 to 10 lots and have additional lawn space on the lot itself."
He noted that, even though the elementary school sat on the property for years, the subdivision remained on the books at the Warren County Courthouse.
"They (the developer) felt it was a better fit for their plans up there. The lots were pretty small lots....can be a problem with parking, green space and living space. (They) felt this would be their best option," Hildebrand added, indicating that the switch "would be more in tune with what they proposed."
Councilman Chris Park asked what minimum lot size is and Hildebrand said that the minimum is 5,000 feet.
Park said that, if the subdivision is approved, two lots will be 5,000 square feet with the other eight lots all larger. "I think it's definitely improved," he said.
The subdivision was approved by the City of Warren Planning Commission at its May meeting.
Council passed it 6-0 on Monday. Councilman John Lewis was absent.
In July 2011, the City of Warren Redevelopment Authority approved the sale of the property to Bakalli for $10,000. The school was demolished in October.