2004-08-02 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

32 enforcement locations as well. He said he feels the message to the public is that speeding is not being enforced in other areas. Police Chief Timothy Longo said evidence shows that people speed even though the locations are advertised. He said the matter will continue to be evaluated. He said signage issues will be looked at in the fall. Ms. Hamilton asked how the three sites were chosen and what criteria were used. Mr. Schoppa said that high pedestrian areas were wanted, and the group wanted to look at one site at the University and one site downtown. He said they wanted to look at the Cherry Avenue site because it is a mid block, high pedestrian area. Chief Longo said Cherry Avenue was also chosen because of the pedestrian traffic to Tonsler Park. Dr. Brown suggested that this information be advertised in City Notes. He said he feels that both aggressive and polite driving can be contagious. Mr. O'Connell said the presentation of the University's master plan will be deferred because the presenter is not present. ORDINANCE: CLOSING OF OLD 5TM STREET, S.W. Mr. Lynch said that the property that will be conveyed should the street be closed is over half an acres and is essential for the developer to assemble five other parcels. He said he feels the overall project will be good, but feels that the purchase price of $36,900 is less than it should be given the development and the market in that area. He said that whatever amount we decide on, he would like to see affordable housing on this site. He said that perhaps in lieu of $50,000 or even $100,00 we could get back a commitment of affordable housing in that project. He said he would like to defer the matter for two weeks and asked staff to speak with the developer. Mr. Caravati said he had asked at the Planning Commission meeting when this matter was considered that comparative sales prices be given to Council. He noted that we are not actually selling land, but closing a street. He said he would like to see more research done on the real value of the property. He said he concurs with Mr. Lynch, or alternately, suggested that any money derived go into the housing trust fund. He noted that affordable housing to him means homes in the $90,000 to $110,000 range. Mr. Tolbert said he was not aware of Mr. Caravati's request. He said the City Assessor valued the land at $1.80 a square foot. He said property close by recently sold for $2.10 a square foot, which would increase the amount to $44,000 if that value was used. He said other terms can be negotiated with the developer, but he said he thinks the developer intends to include affordable units. Mr. Lynch said he would like to see us go as far as we can with affordable housing. He said he would like to get at least $44,000 and a commitment for affordable housing. Mr. Lynch made a motion to defer the ordinance and Mr. Caravati seconded the motion. It was agreed that both a commitment to include affordable housing and setting aside the funds in the housing trust fund be explored. Mr. Schilling said he finds it interesting that Council is wanting to get as much money as possible from this project when they were willing to take less for the Pen Park house lease. He said we should consider what value the property has and how it can be leveraged. The ordinance was deferred by the following vote. Ayes: Dr. Brown, Mr. Caravati, Ms. Hamilton, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Schilling. Noes: None.