Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Star Bond Amendment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marion council hires consultants, sets Nov. 18 hearing to pursue Star Bond district amendment
Summary
The Marion City Council approved hiring legal and economic consultants to pursue a fifth amendment to the Marion Star Bond District that would add roughly 25.57 acres — including a large vacant retail building — and set a public hearing for Nov. 18 at Marion City Hall.
The Marion City Council on Monday approved an ordinance to retain outside counsel and economic-development consultants to draft a proposed fifth amendment to the Marion Star Bond District and set a public hearing on the proposal for Nov. 18 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.
Mayor Absher said the amendment would add a handful of parcels — including the large, vacant former Gander Mountain/Camping World building and parcels near the old movie theater and the former John Deere building — to the Star Bond district to make redevelopment possible if a suitable retailer or developer emerges. “We have no bird in the hand,” Absher said, adding the effort is meant to create incentives if and when a developer materializes.
The council approved ordinance 4070 to enter into a professional-services agreement with local counsel Jacob and Klein and the city’s economic development group to perform the heavy administrative work required for the amendment (mailings, public-notice requirements and legal review). The council also approved Resolution 2025-15 to schedule the public hearing for Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Marion City Hall, 350 Tower Square Plaza. Staff said notices will be mailed to property owners inside the Star Bond district and to owners adjacent to the parcels proposed for addition.
City staff explained the statutory framework: a Star Bond district is limited to a maximum of 500 acres; the packets reviewed by council estimated the package of parcels proposed in the fifth amendment would add about 25.57 acres, leaving the city several acres below the statutory cap. Absher said the process would follow state statute and requires a public hearing followed by a waiting period and state approval before any ordinance becoming effective.
Vote: The council approved the professional-services ordinance and the resolution to set the hearing in separate votes; both passed unanimously.
Next steps: The city will mail legally required notices, hold the Nov. 18 public hearing where counsel will present the legal case, and wait the state review period before any ordinance to amend the Star Bond district could be enacted.
