HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.19.2007COUNCIL WORK SESSION
March 19, 2007
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers
Members present: Kincaid, Welper, Gunderson, Greenwood, Getty, Cole, Schmitt.
Moved by Kincaid, seconded by Welper that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes:
Seven. Motion carried.
Noel Anderson, City Planner, presented a potential expansion of the Consolidated Urban
Revitalization Area (CURA). Ansborough Avenue was the dividing point for the CURA
boundary. There is available land and existing businesses that have room for expansion on the
west side of Ansborough which could benefit from the CURA incentives. The proposed
expansion includes:
1. Along the commercial boundaries of the west side of Ansborough Avenue, which
would include some businesses along Rainbow Drive.
2. Along the commercial boundaries of University Avenue to the westerly city
limits.
3. Along the commercial and industrial boundaries of LaPorte southerly to
Ridgeway Avenue.
The CURA currently encompasses the built up portions of the city. This was to entice new
development and redevelopment for infill development and for vacant lots previously platted but
never developed.
Councilperson Welper asked if the CURA should follow the aging housing stock. Mr. Anderson
replied that a great portion of the aging housing stock is currently in the CURA. Councilperson
Greenwood suggested moving the CURA to Mitchell and even Ridgeway. Mr. Anderson will
look at the figures from the census on the location of aging house stock.
Councilperson Gunderson stated he liked the addition of University Avenue as he had some
property owners contact him. The addition of the CURA will help with incentives to keep our
local businesses along University Avenue. Councilperson Gunderson stated he had misgivings
about including LaPorte Road in the CURA.
Mr. Anderson noted that the tax incentive is only on the added value, except if the building is
demolished and a new building is constructed. If improvements are made to an existing
building, the tax incentive applies only to the improvement.
Councilperson Schmitt stated he liked the new commercial boundaries, but asked if we should
look at incentives for residential areas.
Moved by Getty, seconded by Gunderson to proceed with the proposed commercial areas and
add residential if necessary. Additional comments were heard prior to a vote on this motion.
Mr. Anderson stated that a legal description would need to be drafted for the new boundaries and
the new CURA area would need to be presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Councilperson Gunderson commented he would like to do just the commercial areas at this time.
A vote was taken on the above motion with the following result. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
With no further business before the council, it was moved by Cole, seconded by Greenwood that
the meeting be adjourned at 5:18 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Eckert
City Clerk