2019-11-13 CC Minutes - Approved

Home Browse Search

City of Centerville Council Meeting Minutes November 13, 2019 Ms. DuFault is taking information out of context and that developing this property into high- density housing has been in the City’s Comprehensive Plan for 20 years and several firms have been interesting in developing it. Ms. DuFault stated that Council is basing their decision on previous proposals and she would desire that the Council consider the community as a whole and the benefit rather than just developing this property. Mayor Paar stated that the discussion this evening is whether the City should expend funds to continue to entertain the proposal and not vote on TIF, or the proposal. Ms. Melanie Nicks, 7029 Centerville Road, stated that she is against providing the developer with TIF funding, does not feel that the City of Centerville needs a 53 unit apartment building and would rather see a townhome development without utilizing TIF. She stated that she is concerned about green space and the rural feel of Centerville. She also stated that she did not believe that the expenditure of $7,500 was a necessary expense/good use of the City’s funding. Mayor Paar questioned whether anyone else desired to speak on the issue. No others from the audience stated their desire to speak. Council Member Love stated that the developer has completed a market study and shown that this type of housing is needed in Centerville and it they did not believe that it was needed then they would not developer here. He stated that for many years the location has been included in the City’s Comprehensive Plan for high density and Council understands TIF but is concerned about the length of time the developer is requesting. Council Member Koski stated that he appreciated the comments from the public and to some extent agree with what they are saying. He stated that he agrees that times have changed and feels that the market will dictate development on the site. He did however stated that he has not heard a large amount of opposition to the proposed development and felt that the public should be involved in the decision making process. Mayor Paar stated that the City is not attempting “to drop the land like a hot potato”, that he has been on Council for 17 years and the property has been vacant, the downtown redevelopment project was in full swing with the Beard Group and then the economy went downhill. He stated that the economy is on the uptick and Trident Development was one of three developers that were originally looking at developing the property. He stated that no one knows what tomorrow will bring but the City knows that with this development additional development within the downtown area will be spurred. He stated that he is having difficulty with the length of the proposed TIF and the dollar amount. He also stated that he feels that incentives/concessions may be given in alternate areas. Mr. Brama stated that the City was particular in the look of the building be of French heritage. Mayor Paar stated that two larger business came to Centerville due to the Shovel Ready projects and that the same will hold true for residential development. He again reminded the audience that this evening was to expend funds to determine if the process should continue not to approve TIF or conditions of the TIF. Mayor Paar also thanked Ms. DuFault and Ms. Nicks for their comments and stated that it is difficult to speak in front of a crowd. He stated that he appreciates receiving emails regarding concerns and then stated that City Administrator Statz would be the best candidate to forward Page 8 of 11