Taking stock: Bryan increases mid-range home permits

BRYAN – Bryan’s concentrated push to supply more mid-range housing is paying off, as permits for homes between 2,200 and 3,000 sf totaled 47 in the first eight months of this year compared to 29 in the first eight months of 2013.

"We’re seeing the direct impact of that program, which we’re really pleased about," said Deputy City Manager Joey Dunn. The city has waived $55,680 in building permits, water tap fees and sewage fees for homes meeting qualifications — all one-time fees.

In return, more than $9.6 million in new property has been added to tax rolls. That will send $60,501 to city coffers via property taxes, said Frank Clark, business liaison and special projects director for Bryan.

When considering the development, Clark said Bryan officials looked at College Station. In the past five years, Bryan’s average number of permits for 2,200- to 3,000-sf homes was 27. College Station’s five-year average was 95.

Greg Court, a home builder of 35 years, said Bryan has potential among retirees and those tired of the traffic in south College Station.

Grant Carrabba, a local developer and lead developer for Carrabba Family Limited Partnership, is seeing the larger homes take off in Bryan subdivisions such as Austin’s Colony off Boonville Rd. Of the 41 lots his company is developing there, more than half will have homes in the 2,200- to 3,000-sf range.