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RHRA Meeting <br />Minutes – Monday, August 29, 2016 <br />Page 24 <br /> <br />sense to remove a parcel from city tax rolls and no longer generating tax <br />revenue for the broader community without a clear purpose in mind, or if <br />simply for open space and access to a county park. <br /> <br />President Roe noted similarities with this parcel to that property purchased by <br />the city across from City Hall for future consideration. While it took the <br />property off the tax rolls, President Roe noted it wasn’t generating much now; <br />and while access may be the goal, the existing structure would need to be torn <br />down at city expense to avoid any adverse activities occurring in the structure. <br />Given the reasonable price of the parcel, President Roe opined the parcel had <br />potential to get into the development process if the 210 parcel or parcels south <br />or west of parcel 196 develop and therefore he considered its purchase a <br />potential benefit for the city. <br /> <br />At the request of Member Willmus, Ms. Kelsey clarified that the city had not <br />yet formally retracted its offer for the 210 parcel; but suggested doing so if that <br />was their intent to provide a clear understanding to the current property owner. <br /> <br />Member Willmus stated he’d be in favor of not retracting the offer now and <br />leaving it on the table, based on his understanding the family was still trying to <br />determine what direction to go. <br /> <br />Member Etten stated he was fine leaving the offer on the table for the 210 <br />parcel for now; but was concerned with the 196 parcel if used simply to <br />provide a crossing to the park at this point with no striped or signed crossing, <br />and at a significant and dangerous curve in the road at that site, he wouldn’t <br />encourage that idea. Member Etten noted an existing crossing was available <br />one-half block away to the west and much more visible. <br /> <br />Member McGehee stated she was happy to change her position based on this <br />discussion. However, Member McGehee stated she’d also be happy to turn it <br />back and let it go on the market for a new house there, opining it was a nice lot <br />and location. <br />Public Comment <br />Sherry Sanders, S McCarrons Boulevard <br />Ms. Sanders stated her agreement with Member Etten, especially with the <br />location of the 196 lot in proximity to the existing marked crosswalk providing <br />better vision. Ms. Sanders opined it didn’t make sense to remove this parcel <br />from tax rolls. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding past experience and the process for the city in <br />acquiring the Hamline Avenue parcel for the REDA single-family home <br />program and demolishing the existing home and preparing the site for new <br />construction, with some funds still available to do so; and typical loss to the <br />city related to demolishing existing structures and preparing the lot, while <br /> <br />