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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.14.2003 (2)• • COUNCIL WORK SESSION April 14, 2003 4:30 p.m. Council Chambers Members present: Mayor Rooff, Kincaid, Welper, Greenwood, Clark, Hurley, Getty. Members absent: Jordan. Moved by Welper, seconded by Kincaid that the Agenda, as proposed, be approved. Ayes: Six. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried. Don Temeyer, Community Planning & Development Director, discussed a city-wide Consolidated Urban Revitalization (CURA) in the city. This discussion was prompted by a request to expand the CURA to the north side of the city. Based on the infrastructure available in the area, the Planning Commission recommended not expanding the CURA at this time. They also weighed in the amount of land available in the CURA area immediately adjacent to the studied area to the north and felt a large amount of land was available. In previous discussions the council expanded to talk about trying to get more housing starts in the north area and other areas of town. Planning staff noted they have been approached by more than one developer regarding getting some type of assistance for housing developments in Waterloo. The discussion continued to question what areas do you include once you get away from the built environment of the city. Currently, the CURA mainly 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. It would further promote the use of existing infrastructure in accordance with its intent in the State Code and in accordance with the Comprehensive Plan. The City of Des Moines actually adopted an urban revitalization area over its entire city limits. The City of Des Moines is somewhat landlocked and did this to bring residents back to the urban areas from the suburbs. Mr. Temeyer stated that the Housing Task Force said we need 800 new units per year countywide, and we are building about 75 per year in Waterloo. The Task Force recommended we do not give incentives as we have TIFs and the CURA. Carl Adrian, Director of Cedar Valley Economic Development, reported that rent costs are rising in Waterloo, but not as high as in other areas of the state so there is no incentive for developers to build multi -unit rental property. Rick Young stated that the Housing Task Force did not make any recommendation on revitalization areas. Mr. Young stated he is personally against giving incentives as there are other things cities can do. Mr. Young stated that there is a problem with the Building Inspections and Engineering Departments as they continue to do business as if we were in the 1950s. Mr. Young stated he has been trying to get the city to agree to rolled curbs for their developments, but the Engineering Department has many reasons why we can't do that. Mr. Young stated to build in Waterloo it costs a developer an additional $1,000.00 because of the curb. The Street Department says low -profile curbs make it harder to sweep the curb line clean and plows can and will slip over them during snow removal which will cause damage to the property behind the curb line. Mr. Young stated the city needs to move forward. Mr. Young stated the Building Inspection Department seems to change its rules from building to building. Mr. Temeyer stated that the city needs to look at participating in sanitary sewer in new subdivisions to help reduce the cost for developers. Bernie Umpthum stated the city needs to have incentives to help developers and buyers. Reed Hunemiller suggested that building permit fees for any new residential home be waived. Mr. Hunemiller stated that with an average value of a new home at around $250,000.00, a building permit will cost around $1,762.00. Mr. Hunemiller stated if the city would waive that fee, those dollars would come off the price for the buyer, but the city would recoup that money within the first year with taxes paid by the resident. Council Work Session April 14, 2003 Page 2 Mr. Temeyer stated another question is would the city expand the CURA to commercial areas. The Crossroads area is one of the hottest areas, and they are doing fine without incentives. Mr. Adrian stated there has been an increase in new housing starts, but not the number we had hoped for. Some of the things the Housing Task Force looked at were the permit fees and rolling curbs. Mr. Adrian stated it was his sense of the Housing Task Force not to do TIF for residential areas. Mr. Adrian stated that for people moving to this community one of the important issues is housing availability. Mr. Hunemiller stated the United Building Code is very complicated, vague and there can be different interpretations of the Code. Mr. Hunemiller stated he feels the International Building Code is a little better. With no further business before the council, it was moved by Clark, seconded by Welper that the meeting be adjourned at 5:14 p.m. Ayes: Six. Absent: Jordan. Motion carried. Nancy Eckert City Clerk • •