City Council Minutes 2014 07 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City Council Meeting Minutes July 15, 2014 Page 12 of 21 Council member Keany voiced his appreciation for the information and looked forward to future discussions at a study session. Mayor Muckle felt the study showed evidence of blight and supported staff bringing back a resolution for Council review. He stated the building has been vacant for four years and has a blighted influence on the entire McCaslin corridor. He felt it would take the urban renewal power to redevelop the area. Economic Development Director DeJong stated if Council requests the staff bring back a resolution determining blight, that step is generally completed at the same time an urban renewal plan is adopted. The City's Urban Renewal Counsel recommends both the resolution and the urban renewal plan come forward at the same time. City Manager Fleming explained the intent of bringing forward the resolution and the urban renewal plan together is to advise Council which specific actions are being proposed to address blight conditions. Mayor Muckle proposed the resolution and the urban renewal plan should be a two -step process. Council Lipton stated if a two -step process is followed, prior to the second step, he would like the Council to have a chance to discuss the plan with legal counsel. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton opposed having staff come back with a resolution finding blight. Council member Keany would accept a two -step process, but would not feel comfortable with developing an urban renewal plan without knowing the costs and getting further legal counsel. Mayor Pro Tem Dalton commented that a finding of blight and a possible condemnation to eliminate the burdensome conditions of blight would favor the applicant. He felt the current owner was aware of the conditions, as well as the additional restrictions. He noted covenants and conditions are part of every commercial development. If the property was abandoned, neglected, or unsafe he would support moving forward. He noted the sales tax loss suffered when Sam's Club closed has been overcome as current sales tax receipts have surpassed the 2006 receipts. He was not in favor of the survey and is not in favor of the resolution or the urban renewal plan. Council member Moss agreed with Mayor Pro Tem Dalton's comments. She felt the buyer was aware of the restrictions when he recently purchased the property. She did not feel enough time has passed for the City to become involved. Council member Lipton was in favor of a free market approach to the future development of the property. However, he noted that the public has become increasingly uncomfortable with the vacant building and safety conditions. He was not a