City staff propose clarifying UD PDA covenant for 201 W. Main to allow multifamily, mixed-use and accessory structured parking
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Summary
A proposed amendment would clarify that the public-development-authority covenant for 201 West Main may be used for multifamily housing, mixed use or commercial enterprises but may not be used for commercial surface parking; staff said the amendment is intended to provide certainty for development, though council asked staff to research historic intent and whether the parcel might be sold or leased to satisfy debts.
Spencer Gardner, filling in for Amanda Beck, presented a proposed amendment to the University District Public Development Authority’s (UDPDA) deed covenants for the parcel at 201 West Main.
Gardner said the original covenant transferred the property for "economic development purposes" but did not define that phrase. The proposed amendment would explicitly state that "economic development purposes" include, but are not limited to, multifamily housing, mixed-use or commercial enterprises, while prohibiting development of commercial surface parking as the primary use.
Gardner said the clearer language is intended to give certainty to developers and facilitate redevelopment; council members sought clarity about whether the parcel would be sold or ground-leased and whether a sale to pay a debt would be consistent with the original intent. "I think I'd need to dig into the historical information," Gardner said when asked about sale details.
Council members also asked whether structured (non-surface) parking would be allowed; staff read the restriction as barring commercial surface parking while accessory structured parking would be permissible if tied to a primary use.
No formal action was taken at the committee meeting; staff said they would research the historical record and provide additional details to council.