Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Developer and council at odds over TIF-backed Westside project; city signals decertification if no progress
Summary
A Westside property owner told the council he wants to sell lots in small parcels to spur development; council said the current TIF/development agreement requires infrastructure and suggested decertifying the TIF if the owner does not progress on required infrastructure. Council also warned the owner to maintain the property or face city abatement.
A property owner involved in Green Isle’s Westside development (speaker 10) told council members on July 14 that he is seeking alternatives to a single large developer and asked whether he could sell small groups of lots to multiple builders so infrastructure costs would be shared. “If a builder comes to me, I can just sell a couple of 10, 20 lots to 1 of the developer,” the owner said, describing an incremental-sales strategy intended to attract piecemeal construction.
Council members and EDA representatives responded that the city’s TIF and development agreement were structured to support infrastructure for the larger project and that the current agreements effectively require the infrastructure to be in place before lots are sold and homes built. The mayor reiterated that under the development agreement, “the infrastructure has to be there for your homes to be built.” Council advised the owner that, if work does not proceed, the city may begin the formal decertification process for the TIF district.
Council also reminded the owner that the city has sent notices about property maintenance; staff said failure to maintain the lots could lead to city abatement and assessment of fees to the property. The owner said he understands the concerns but reiterated that he cannot personally front the full infrastructure cost without a large developer or financing; council members encouraged exploring options but emphasized the legal and programmatic constraints of TIF funding.
Council asked staff to follow up on the development agreement details, to confirm TIF timelines and decertification options, and to keep the matter on a future agenda if proposals to advance infrastructure or financing emerge.
