HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-25-99 Community & Economic Development tout ttt .port:
Community and Economic Development Committee
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The January 25, 1999 joint meeting of the Community and Economic Development
Committee was called to order by its Chairperson, Council Member Roland Kelly at 5:00
p.m. in the Council informal meeting room.
Persons in attendance included Council Members: Pfeifer, Kelly, Aranowski, Varner,
Ujdak, Coleman, Sniadecki, Hosinski and King; Jon Hunt, Terry Bland, Bernie Kish,
John Penny, Pierre Smith, Eugenia Schwartz, Nancy Van Scoyk and Kathleen Cekanski-
Farrand.
The first item on the agenda was to review Bill No. 1-99 which would appropriate
$ 55,000 from the Urban Development Action Grant Fund. Mr. Jon Hunt made the
presentation. He noted that the monies would be used to pay for costs to move forward on
various economic development projects. It would pay for predevelopment costs such as
preparation of site plans, title and survey work, etc. Projects contemplated include Oliver
Plow Works, Studebaker Corridor, Sample Street Industrial Corridor, Commercial
Corridor, and the Central Business District.
Dr. Varner requested a breakdown of the funds for the various projects. Mr. Hunt noted
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that projections were approximate with the final amounts being negotiated with the
consultants. He noted that the Studebaker Corridor would be between$30,000 to
$35,000;$ 10,000 for the downtown and$ 10,000 for the Commercial Corridor project.
Following discussion, Council Member King made a motion, seconded by Council
Member Aranowski that Bill No. 1-99 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
The Committee then reviewed Bill No. 99-6 which is a five (5) year residential real
property tax abatement request for Pierre A. Smith doing business as "Eagle Associates",
for the properties located at 621, 625, 630, 631 and 632 O'Brien, 1529 and 1533 Lebanon,
310, 314 and 317 Kentucky, 317, 418 and 420 Cushing, 1315, 1317, 1319 and 1321
VanBuren, 1502 Fremont, 1429 Olive, 723 South Bend Avenue, 114, 118 and 122
Bendix, 804 Dayton, 202 S. Kaley, and 1614, 1624, 1630 and 1721 Elmer.
Nancy Van Scoyk, Economic Development Specialist reviewed the January 7, 1999 report
(copy attached) which concluded that the project meets the requirements for a five year
residential real property tax abatement.
Mr. Pierre Smith, the Petitioner, then made his presentation. He noted that twenty-five
(25) ranch style homes would be built ranging in price from $ 75,000 to $ 80,000. The
project total would be between$ 1,050,000 to$ 1,120,000. He stated that he believes that
there is a need to replace vacant land with affordable housing throughout the City.
In response to a question raised by Council Member Ujdak, Mr. Smith noted that all of the
homes would be stick built.
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Community and Economic Development Committee
January 25, 1999
Page 2
Dr. Varner complimented Mr. Smith for the four(4) styles of homes which are depicted in
the report.
Council Member Aranowski urged Mr. Smith to make sure that each of the home owners
be aware of the responsibilities with regard to filing necessary documents for the residential
tax abatement. Mr. Smith stated such information would be made available and that he
would work closely with the Housing Assistance Office.
Following discussion, Council Member Ujdak made a motion, seconded by Council
Member King that Bill No. 99-6 be recommended favorably to Council. The motion
passed.
Council Member Pfeifer voiced concern about the belief that only home owners take pride
in their homes. She believes that there is a stigma regarding renters. She requested uested
information from Mr. Hunt on this topic ::::;► stated Chat if it is true then there should be
training made available to both renters and the absentee landlords to better address the
situation.
Council Member Kelly noted that his Committee is recommending that William Eagan be
reappointed to the Human Rights Commission.
Council Member Aranowski noted that he and Council Member Kelly met with the
secondhand dealers regarding their concerns and will meet again in the next week. Both
sides have agreed to accommodate the needs of each other and a draft ordinance should be
available in the near future.
There being no further business to come before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned
at 5:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Roland Kelly, Chairperson
Community and Economic Development
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Attachments