Webster City council sets March 2 hearing to consider expanding Riverview urban renewal area

The Webster City Council voted to set a public hearing on March 2 at 6:05 p.m. to consider a boundary amendment to the Riverview urban renewal area that would add three parcels tied to planned redevelopment.

Staff told the council the Riverview plan dates to 1986 and the amendment was prompted by redevelopment activity tied to the Brew Oil project. Staff identified the three parcels as 1827 Superior Street (the former dock stop, currently an empty parking lot), 2307 Superior Street (the former Kmart site) and the Brew Oil parcel referenced in the packet. The hearing was scheduled after staff said attorneys recommended revisiting the district boundary during the Brew Oil redevelopment work.

"This plan was adopted back in 1986 originally and most recently the council approved an expansion of the district boundaries to include additional property surrounding to better address redevelopment needs," staff said when introducing the item. Staff said the request is to set a public hearing for a boundary amendment and noted the council had discussed the matter at the prior meeting.

Council members asked clarifying questions about existing TIF coverage on east and west sides of Superior Street and whether portions south of the highway were already included in other districts; staff said they would provide maps and the exact expiration date of a previous urban renewal district before the hearing. The motion to set the March 2 hearing passed by voice vote.

The hearing will allow property owners and residents to comment before the council considers final adoption of any boundary amendment. The council did not take final action on the boundary amendment at this meeting.