Economic and Development Committee approves rezoning, CDBG reallocation and demolition loan; denies one liquor license

The Economic and Development Committee voted on six agenda items affecting zoning, community development funding, property demolition financing and retail alcohol licenses.

The committee approved an ordinance to amend limited-use criteria for automotive uses and moved forward an ordinance to rezone property in the 6900 block of West Orchard Street from RC (residential) to C-2 (commercial). The committee also approved a resolution reallocating $250,926 in Community Development Block Grant COVID (CDBG-CV) funds and approved an allocation of up to $1,000,000 to the Community Development Authority (CDA) to raise and remove structures at 1405 South 90 Second Street. The committee denied a new Class A liquor license application for 9730 West Greenfield Avenue by a 3–2 vote; that denial will be forwarded to the full common council. Separately, the committee approved a new Class A beer and cigarette license for Cal Services at 10731 West Oklahoma Avenue.

Why it matters: the actions free or reallocate money for redevelopment work and affect neighborhood retail alcohol availability. The $1,000,000 allocation is intended as a short-term city loan to allow demolition to proceed while a private developer finalizes long-term financing for a redevelopment project.

Demolition loan and CDA financing A committee member summarized the CDA loan as a short-term financing tool to permit demolition to proceed before a private developer’s…