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Council weighs redevelopment options for former junior-high site amid storm-drain, zoning concerns
Summary
A usage study recommends five single-family lots but councilors discussed developer interest in mixed commercial/residential uses and flagged a large storm drain beneath the site that could change costs; council signaled it will solicit proposals and that the land-reuse agency rules may require a public bid process.
The St. Albans City Council on May 4 discussed competing ideas for the former SJHS site after a consultant study listed the property’s highest and best use as five single-family lots and noted the parcel is zoned R-1 (single-family residential).
Councilman Paige said a local developer has expressed interest in a mixed-use plan that could include a physical-therapy clinic, a gym and high-end loft apartments, but he said any commercial use would likely require rezoning or a spot-zoning action. "I've talked to a gentleman who is interested in potentially putting in a physical-therapy clinic as well as a gym as well as... luxury loft apartments," Paige said.
Why it matters: councilors agreed the site could either be preserved for more public-facing uses such as park space or developed to generate recurring tax revenue. Several members emphasized that long-term revenue from a commercial or mixed-use project could be more valuable to the city than a one-time land sale.
Council members raised a technical constraint that could reshape any proposal: storm-drain infrastructure under the site. Marshall and others said the storm drain runs along the west end of the property and that while a road could be placed above it, buildings could not be sited directly over the drain. The usage study referenced "land area is 42,53 square ft" on page four (the figure in the record is transcribed exactly as spoken), and members noted that the eventual cost to move or mitigate storm infrastructure could be significant.
Council next steps: members discussed privately reviewing specific proposals and possibly convening an executive session to evaluate competing offers. They also noted that a land-reuse ordinance adopted earlier changes how city-owned parcels transfer to the land reuse agency and that any subsequent development may require a formal bid process through that agency. Mayor Scott James and staff agreed to post vacancies and recruitment language for the land-reuse agency and to accept proposals or developer inquiries to prepare a formal recommendation at a future meeting.
Clarifying details: the study text as read aloud in the meeting lists zoning (R1) and a recommendation for five single-family lots; a referenced storm-drain report remains outstanding and councilors requested cost estimates before making a final decision. The council did not vote at the May 4 meeting on a specific disposition; members asked staff to continue pursuing proposals and to return with cost and feasibility information.
