SANFORD, Fla. — Habitat for Humanity is set to build 17 townhomes on newly-annexed land in the city of Sanford.

The 2.69 acre-lot sits on the corner of West Airport Boulevard and north of MLK Boulevard.

The land initially sat in unincorporated Seminole County, until the city met Monday and approved annexing the land, and rezoning the property.

Habitat for Humanity Seminole County-Apopka CEO Penny Seater says they bought the land almost three years ago for $160,000 and are now looking to put the land to use.

“We’ve done townhouses in the past very successfully and when I saw it, I thought well, we’ll buy it now and see if we can hang onto it and eventually develop it, so we were able to apply for a grant for some infrastructure dollars,” said Seater.

On March 7, the city of Sanford’s planning and zoning department approved the project, but the city had a few steps to take care of in order for the project can officially move forward.

Habitat for Humanity is looking to develop the land to build two six-unit buildings and one five-unit building.

“The first phase we’re hoping to start within the next nine months or so which will be all the infrastructure and then there will be three pads of townhouses,” said Seater. “So as we build them, we’ll have homebuyers purchase the townhomes.”

Seater says this further meets the needs of affordable housing in the city.

“It’s exciting. It means we can put 17 new homeowners into the community. Paying taxes, being part of the fabric of the city,” he said.

Seater says the project is estimated to take about two to three years to complete.