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Hobart council accepts TIF report, adopts ordinances and authorizes CDBG application; annexation hearing set
Summary
The council accepted the 2025 TIF report, approved code and budget ordinances and adopted a CDBG resolution; it introduced a voluntary annexation (about 6.66 acres) and set a public hearing. Several resident concerns about a proposed nearby data center were raised during public comment.
The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority on March 18 accepted the 2025 TIF annual report, approved multiple ordinances and resolutions and set a public hearing on a voluntary annexation tied to a corridor development project.
City staff presented the 2025 tax‑increment financing (TIF) annual report and an updated fiscal plan reflecting a corrected parcel size; council voted to accept the report so the clerk‑treasurer could file it with the state. "No other changes," staff said while noting Baker Tilly updated the fiscal numbers to match the corrected acreage.
The council also reviewed a compliance report for the Grand Trump Storage project and accepted staff's recommendation that the project remain in compliance with its statement of benefits. An amended development agreement for PlayStreet/Defco LLC — intended to adjust construction timelines because of unforeseen delays — was presented and accepted after the applicant described the changes.
Council approved Ordinance 2026‑04, an amendment to the municipal code to separate unsafe‑building hearing authority into a dedicated board, on a 7‑0 roll‑call vote. The ordinance aims to allow a board focused solely on unsafe buildings to conduct hearings and weigh community input. Council then passed Ordinance 2026‑05, appropriating 2026 budget funds for the general fund and building department; members also moved to apply an emergency clause to expedite the ordinance.
On federal grant matters, the council opened the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public hearing and reviewed eligible uses and program rules; staff reported the city’s FY2026 CDBG allocation at $112,590. Council adopted the required affirmative action plan and Section 3 understanding and approved Resolution 2026‑07 authorizing the mayor to submit a CDBG project proposal.
Separately, the council was presented with a petition for voluntary annexation of roughly 6.66 acres near the I‑65/37th Avenue corridor and directed staff to schedule a public hearing; the applicant, Richard Anderson, asked the council to set an April public hearing date.
What passed (votes at a glance): - Acceptance of the 2025 TIF annual report — adopted (voice vote). - Acceptance of Grand Trump Storage compliance report — adopted (voice vote). - Acceptance of PlayStreet/Defco development agreement amendment — adopted (voice vote). - Ordinance 2026‑04 (unsafe‑building code amendment) — adopted, roll call 7‑0. - Ordinance 2026‑05 (budget appropriations) — adopted, roll call recorded; emergency also moved. - Resolution 2026‑07 (authorize CDBG project submission) — adopted (voice vote).
The council set a public hearing on the annexation petition for April and staff committed to follow up on procedural questions raised during discussion. The meeting moved on to an extended public‑comment period during which residents urged further review of development impacts on traffic, noise and groundwater. The council noted several follow‑ups and the clerk’s office will file required documents with state authorities as directed.
