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Council hears resident concerns about Sheridan site, right-of-way survey for Red River Express; city says property-standards process under way
Summary
Residents and council members discussed a partly constructed Sheridan site and an agenda item to authorize a right-of-way servitude for Red River Express LLC to survey city land.
Residents and council members discussed a partially constructed and deteriorating site (referred to in the meeting as Sheridan/Piermont) and a separate agenda item that would authorize a right-of-way servitude agreement allowing Red River Express LLC to survey city property.
Resident Dave Hackney told the council he was concerned about private interests acquiring city property and potential conflicts of interest, and he asked whether the city was treating land sales or right-of-way access as a giveaway. Hackney noted that an associated financing authority had pursued a USDA loan for the developer and said homeowners were watching for fair market processes.
City staff and council responses Councilman Butcher and city staff said there had been “no contact with the owners” but that the city had been speaking to the contractor left on site and had asked about grass cutting; staff said the contractor committed to address grass cutting on the Wednesday before the meeting. The council and the city attorney reported that the property-standards process to cite and address blight on the vacant/partly constructed site had begun.
Separately, city staff described agenda item 01/28 as a right-of-way servitude agreement that would allow Red River Express LLC to enter city property to survey it for a potential roadway facility; the authorization would allow survey work but any acquisition would require appraisal and further approvals. Councilman Butcher said he insisted that the city be the client for the appraisal and that any purchase would reflect fair market value paid by the purchaser.
What the council directed The city attorney said the next steps for the Sheridan site would be to continue the property-standards process (citation and enforcement) as with other vacant properties. Council members emphasized neighborhood outreach, independent appraisals chosen by the city, and further review before any sale or permanent conveyance of land.
No formal vote on property conveyance or sale took place at the meeting; the right-of-way servitude item was introduced for survey and appraisal steps and will return for later council consideration.
