CRA opts to pause sale of Ancestry property, pursue rezoning to C-1 and await unsolicited proposals

During board-member remarks at the March 24 meeting, CRA members discussed the property commonly referred to as the Ancestry property and agreed to pause active marketing while proceeding with a zoning change to C-1.

Board members said prior negotiations (for example, a proposal with Dance Unlimited) had fallen through and that public interest had been mixed. The board expressed concern about losing control of the site if the CRA put a for‑sale sign on the property. Instead, board members favored rezoning the parcel to C-1 so the site would be ready for compatible commercial uses and remaining open to unsolicited proposals.

Staff and board discussed alternatives to a standard “for sale” sign, including a smaller informational sign with a QR code linking interested parties to a project information page and solicitation instructions. The CRA agreed there was no immediate need to relist the property for sale; instead staff was directed to proceed with rezoning (removing the PD designation) and accept unsolicited proposals for review. If an offer were to be considered, the board noted it would retain approval authority and could impose use or redevelopment conditions or proceed with a disposition process if appropriate.

No formal motion was recorded at the meeting; board members described the plan as an administrative direction to staff rather than a sale decision. Staff will advance the rezoning to C-1 and monitor interest, returning any substantive unsolicited proposals to the board for formal consideration.