Vote on mixed‑use license for 305 Oregon Ave. delayed after board falls short of required votes

Trustees postponed a decision on a license to continue mixed residential use at 305 Oregon Avenue after the motion failed to reach the four votes required for passage.

Thomas, who identified himself as a prospective buyer and longtime contractor and property manager, told the board he plans to live at the mansion with family members and to ‘‘gently restore’’ the exterior while preserving the building’s historic character. "I'm not gonna go there and just start tearing out a trim and putting in, you know, vinyl soffits," he said, adding that exterior work would be phased and that he intends to make accessibility improvements for family members who use wheelchairs.

Trustees pressed the prospect on details: whether he would personally manage the rental units, what kinds of contractors he would use, whether parking would be contained onsite, and whether he had discussed use of tax increment financing (TIF) for exterior work. He said he has a general contractor who reviewed the property, has managed multiple rental properties for his family, and that he would seek to work with village staff on potential TIF support.

Trustee 3 moved to approve a license to "Tahaya Zim" for continued mixed use at 305 Oregon Avenue, subject to purchase of the property and the village's annual rental registration requirement. The motion was seconded, but the board did not record four affirmative votes and the matter was continued to the board's August 17 meeting so a full board can consider the application. The chair apologized for the scheduling conflicts that left the board short-handed at this meeting.

Because the license vote was continued rather than approved or denied, trustees did not adopt conditions or a final permit; the item will return to the next regular meeting for final action.