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Council moves to amend deed-restriction language for Charlotte Street sale, seeks first right of refusal language
Summary
Council discussed an ordinance (RL25-74) to amend O-2493 so deed restrictions on Charlotte Street lots reflect the council’s legislative intent; Council member Hotchkiss sought language giving the city first right of refusal rather than a 30-year transfer prohibition. Council voted to expedite consideration 7-0.
At the March 24 work session, Council member Hotchkiss introduced RL25-74, an ordinance to amend O-2493 to clarify legislative intent for deed restrictions on four city-owned vacant lots on Charlotte Street that were previously approved for sale to a developer, Charles Ackerman. Hotchkiss told council his intent was to include a city first right of refusal if the developer later sought to sell the parcels, not to bar any transfer for 30 years.
Hotchkiss said the presence of a provision that states the applicant “not sell or otherwise transfer the premised to any third party for a period of 30 years” appears to have been included in contract language even though the council’s legislative intent was to reserve a first right of refusal. He asked Corp. Counsel to research how that language entered the resolution and to distribute the history to council members.
Council members agreed the issue had delayed finalizing the sale and approved a motion to expedite the ordinance’s consideration; the roll call recorded seven ayes. Council members said resolving the language is important to allow the planned affordable-housing project to proceed.
