City Council Agenda and Packet 2015 09 01

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SUBJECT: 550 SOUTH MCCASLIN BLVD. URBAN RENEWAL PLAN DATE: SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 PAGE 4 OF 13 The City Council meeting to consider a determination of blight followed State law Section 31- 25- 107(b)(1) requiring notice to any owner of private property located in the area that is the subject of the study. Public notice for the October 7, 2014 meeting deciding whether blighting factors exist on the property was published in the Daily Camera on September 6, 2014. The Daily Camera ran an article about the action on July 24, 2014. Public notice of the July 6, 2015 public informational meeting on the Plan (which is not required by State law) was mailed and posted at the property, as well as noticed in the same manner as all board and commission meetings. Notice of the City Council public hearing on the Plan followed State law. "Deficiencies in the Blight Findings" Bergman further asserts that the "City's actions (to find blight) leave the impression that the blight determination was a pretext to eliminate the use restrictions on the Property in order to benefit one private party at the expense of others." The Conditions Survey was performed by a third party with experience in such matters (Urban Revitalization Consulting) using an objective approach to identify blighting factors in accord with all provisions of State law. Regarding Bergman's other assertions, staff agrees with his stated preference to "resolve these issues in a mutually beneficial fashion without resorting to litigation." Staff does want to continue to facilitate discussions with Albertson's and Centennial Valley with or without an approved Urban Renewal Plan to address the community's largest and most impactful vacancy. SUMMARY (From August 18th Council Packet): Staff is asking Council to take two actions. First, adopt a Resolution approving an Urban Renewal Plan for 550 S. McCaslin Blvd, the former Sam's Club Property. Second, adopt a Resolution approving amendments to the Cooperation Agreement between the City and the Louisville Revitalization Commission (LRC). The proposed Urban Renewal Plan is intended to reduce, eliminate and prevent the spread of blight within the urban renewal area at 550 S. McCaslin, the former Sam's Club. The objectives of the Plan include the following: • Create a retail rich environment where area businesses and residents can be successful • Re- tenant or redevelop the property • Increase retail activity by encouraging occupancy of the property Approving the Plan would give the Louisville Revitalization Commission (LRC) certain abilities to address the blighting factors preventing redevelopment of the former Sam's Club building on the property. Those abilities include: • Develop and approve a project description COUNCIL COMMUNICATION 52