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Council confirms EDC and planning appointments and approves multiple commercial-improvement grants
Summary
The council unanimously confirmed five Economic Development Commission appointees and two Planning & Zoning appointees, and voted to approve multiple commercial building and property-improvement grant agreements introduced or on second reading, with members urging continued program refinement to demonstrate taxpayer benefit.
The Washington City Council on Aug. 4 confirmed a slate of appointments and approved a series of commercial improvement grants and related redevelopment measures.
Mayor presented appointments to the Economic Development Commission (Corey Allen, Kevin Beal, Mike Herzog, Drew Hillman and Craig Salto); council moved and voted unanimously to confirm the appointments. The mayor also announced appointments of Matt Collins and Thomas Breckland to the Planning and Zoning Commission; council approved those appointments unanimously.
On first reading, the council introduced a TIF redevelopment agreement for 101 Washington Square and two commercial building and property improvement grant agreements with Frank and Lucine Bray (1503 Washington Road) and Cherry Tree Plaza LLC (1 Cherry Tree Shopping Center). Several of the commercial improvement items later appeared on second reading and were approved: the Precious Hospitality LLC agreement for 1101 North Cummings Lane and a grant agreement with Christy LeHood (doing business as Countryside Banquet and Catering) for improvements at 659 School Street.
A council member used the discussion around the Precious Hospitality item to reiterate that, while philosophically skeptical of taxpayer funds going to private businesses, he sees benefits when grants support small-business viability, jobs and accessibility. He urged aligning the program with the city’s comprehensive plan and seeking ways to demonstrate taxpayer benefit beyond direct ROI.
Votes on the confirmed appointments and the listed grant approvals were recorded as unanimous on the council floor.
