2020-03-11 CC Minutes - Approved

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City of Centerville Council Meeting Minutes March 11, 2020 attempting to make Centerville more business friendly and marketing the community to gain business growth. rd Ms. Pam Kennedy, 1983 - 73 Street, stated that this has been mentioned several times and the apartments would be a great place for the seniors to move to. She stated that she knows no senior citizen that could afford $1,600 for rent. She stated Council stated that the project would bring in $800,000 immediately for fees and revenue, etc. Part of that was $50,000 in building permits fees and of that amount how much will the offset of the Inspector’s wage be of that for this project? She stated that Council has provided that $800,000 would be received in revenue but you are not showing expenditures that would be involved to take on this project. She requested that Council discuss expenditures by the City associated with the project and the proposed revenue gained by the development upon construction. Administrator Statz addressed the building permit revenue and how the City’s two (2) inspectors would handle inspections versus other communities of Centerville’s size contract for services and stated that basically these funds would be a pass through. Ms. Kennedy asked whether additional staff would need to be hired to offset other duties that these positions complete while providing inspection services to this project? Administrator Statz stated that this is very difficult to judge whether with a project of this size is hiring additional staff needed but he did not believe that the answer was yes. Administrator Statz stated that an audience member questioned the capacity of the city’s infrastructure. He stated that the systems are built to their capacity with one (1) water town, two (2) wells and four (4) lift stations. He stated that the City incurred expenditures for all of this previously and would be currently paying itself back. Administrator Statz stated that connection charges repay funds that were previously expended and the City is in a good financial position which these funds. Ms. Kennedy asked how long construction would last and Administrator Statz responded within roughly one construction season. Ms. Julie Lindsay, 1687 Sorel Street, stated that the apartment building would be directly across the street from her home and that she would desire not to be sitting on her front deck looking at a 3-story apartment building with its associated vehicle traffic. She questioned if the proposed development was best for Centerville and its residents? She stated that Council Members and City Staff have received emails from residents and how many of those residents said “I just love the idea of a 3-story apartment building located here”. She stated that she bet zero. Ms. Lindsay asked why not something less invasive like townhomes on the parcel. Ms. Melanie Nicks, 7029 Centerville Road, stated that she moved into the downtown area and did not realize it was considered the downtown and does not understand why it is called that. She also stated that if there was a 1-story apartment building or a few townhomes she felt that it was a better fit in the area and she was fine with that. She felt that the building was too large for the parcel and it was not a good fit for the area. She stated that she would rather have it remain vacant but knows that that will not happen. She again stated that a smaller development would be easier to digest for residents of the area and retain the small town feel. She felt that the Mayor’s concern for his residency was not a good reason not to vote at this time as the Council Chambers were packed with residents in opposition. Ms. Nicks stated that Council’s goal is to bring businesses to downtown and there is only one retail space within the apartment complex. She questioned where new businesses were going to go in the downtown area without buying owned property. She stated that she believed the Main Street was where downtown should be. She questioned the City’s plan for businesses. Mayor Paar referred back to the Comprehensive Plan and how it laid out the Page 10 of 18