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On Tuesday, the LaGrange City Council approved an intergovernmental between the City of LaGrange and Troup County to fund a sewer line expansion to a housing development on the former Newman property off of Mooty Bridge Rd.

City Planner Mark Kostial said the first phase of the development consists of approximately 240 acres, but the entire development is one of the largest the city has had in a while.

The first phase will include approximately 400 multifamily units, 325 single-family homes and 150 townhomes, Kostial said.

“This is probably the largest development that we’ve had in quite some time. It’s slightly more than 830 acres, so the takedown will be in at least five phases,” Kostial said.

The intergovernmental agreement will allow the city to contribute $2 million in ARPA money that will be used for sewer infrastructure in the county. Troup County is also being asked to contribute $2 million to the project. In return, the city would get the sewer infrastructure and the water and sewer sales that go along with it. The development is also in the city’s electrical service area.

“The city will get all the roads and all the infrastructure right-of-ways and the infrastructure back once it’s complete. We won’t pay them the $4 million until all the infrastructure is put in place,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Mitchell.

The $2 million is only for the first phase of the project. The developers are estimating $8 million to $18 million worth of infrastructure costs for the whole project.

Councilman Tom Gore said the money will come back to the city through increased utility sales.

“When the city has electrical sales, that comes into the city. Then the city spends that money for the whole community, not just the areas that generate the electrical sales. So, if the utility fund is in good shape, it helps the budget of the city in every way so we can help everybody who needs help all across the city,” Gore said. Councilman Willie Edmondson said the new development will also greatly help with the city’s need for workforce housing.

Ultimately, the council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor and clerk to execute the intergovernmental agreement with Troup County for the sewer contribution by a vote of 4-0.

Councilman Leon Childs abstained from the vote, due to much of the previous council discussion on the project having occurred prior to him being sworn into office.