The city of Albert Lea is evaluating whether to change its assessment policy to spur development in Tiger Hills.

City Manager Chad Adams said the city is evaluating whether to not require developers to immediately pay lot assessments that typically range from $22,000 to $36,000. The possibility was discussed Thursday at an Albert Lea City Council study session.

“We’ve been kind of having a lot of discussions on the lots in Tiger Hills, and also other lots where there might be large assessments on them, trying to find a way to get those lots in the hands of a property owner that is looking to build a house in the near future and looking for a way to have those assessments paid back over a reasonable period of time rather than all up front,” Adams said Tuesday.

The council plans to discuss the option Saturday at a retreat, and a resolution could happen in the next several months.

This is not the first step the city has taken to spur economic development in the community. The council waived interest on assessments within Tiger Hills subdivision in September 2016, and a  tax abatement program eliminates city property taxes for five years on single-family homes, duplexes and multi-family housing with less than four units built in the next three years.

“We’re looking for creative ways for people to build houses in that development or others throughout the community,” Adams said, adding efforts to spur housing development could be a multi-pronged approach.

“I think there’s possibilities there, and that’s kind of what we’re looking at doing,” he said.

First Ward Councilor Rich Murray said Wednesday he needs to evaluate the plan more before making a statement.