City Council Minutes 2014 07 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

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City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2014 Page 10 of 21 DISCUSSION /DIRECTION — CONDITIONS SURVEY FOR 550 S. MCCASLIN BLVD, THE FORMER SAM'S CLUB BUILDING AND PREPARATION OF AN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN Mayor Muckle requested a staff presentation. Economic Development Director DeJong explained Council directed staff to commission a Conditions Survey for 550 S. McCaslin Boulevard (former Sam's Club property). A Conditions Survey is a study to determine if blight factors exist, as described in state law. Staff hired Urban Revitalization Consulting, represented by Austin Patten, to conduct the conditions survey to research if blight conditions exist on the property. City Attorney Light noted the staff is not asking Council to make a finding of blight at this time, or to make any decision. The recommendation is to direct staff if a resolution finding blight or any additional information should be brought back to the City Council. Mr. Patten presented the findings of the study to City Council. The study is a step in the process to create and Urban Renewal Area (URA), and advises City Council on whether the studied area meets the statutory definition of a "blight." A URA would allow the Louisville Revitalization Commission to create an Urban Renewal Plan, which is a possible next step. Blight Factors: There are 11 factors listed in Colorado State Statutes. At least four factors must be present in the Study Area to create a URA. However, if the property owners consent in writing, only one factor must be present. Conditions Study Process: • On -site field survey to examine for conditions of blight that are visually observable • Examination of aerial and historical photography, parcel maps, property records and title, and other reports for certain factors that are not always visually observable (e.g.is there environmental contamination or issues with utilities ?) • Data collection from the City regarding traffic, crime, etc. • All results are examined using a specific lists of potential blight conditions that has been developed to help make the process as objective as possible. Results of Study: Four factors found: • Faulty Lot Layout • Deterioration of site or other improvements • Defective or unusual conditions of title rendering the title non - marketable • The existence of health, safety, or welfare factors requiring high levels of municipal services or substantial physical underutilization or vacancy of sites, buildings, or other improvements Faulty Lot Layout: