New development could be built near Vennehjem

The preliminary plat of the development, with Vennehjem highlighted in blue

If the Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission and the Decorah City council approve a zoning change next month, Aase Haugen Senior Services will begin construction of a new subdivision near Vennehjem, aimed at people 55 and older.

Nabotunet subdivision (pronounced "nah-boo-toon-eh") will have "patio homes" ranging in size from 1,664 square feet to almost 2,000 square feet.  The homes will have two or three bedrooms, with attached double garages and sunrooms.  All major appliances wil be included.  The patio homes will share a wall with a neighboring patio home.  In all there will be 16 units in eight buildings.

The homes will be aimed at people who want to downsize from their existing home, but still want more than one bedroom.  Prices have not yet been set for the patio homes.

Earlier this month the Decorah Planning & Zoning Commission unanimously approved the preliminary plat for the subdivision.  Next month the same commission will review Aase Haugen's request to change the zoning of the parcel from H-M (Hospital/Medical) to R-3 (larger residential developments).

A housing survey of Decorah conducted by Upper Exploreland Regional Planning concluded there is a need for additional housing for seniors in Decorah who would like to move out of their traditional homes.  The Aase Haugen Board has been working with an architectural firm from Waterloo, AHTS Architects, on final designs for the duplex patio homes as a way of meeting part of that need.

The development would be built beyond Vennehjem