Several council members had questions the 10-year term and, therefore, they would of their own to ask prior to approving the be losing their tax benefit of the opportunity initiative. zone,” she said. “So that’s kind of why there Vice Mayor Naomi Duerr asked if the wouldn’t be individual ownership. It would be council could “provide yet another kind of more on a rental … basis.” incentive—even to go to SB 103—to waive, “It is envisioned that most of these would defer or even forgive” impact fees for those be rental properties,” Thomas confirmed. “But, developers proposing affordable housing. The again, we didn’t want to limit it.” answer, according to assistant city manager Brekhus also posed the question of what, if Thomas, was that, yes, the council could any, safeguards would be in place in the consider these options, too. event a development went south and Councilmember Jenny remained incomplete after receivBrekhus, concerned that develing impact deferrals, to which “We’ve got to opers might end up passing Thomas responded that the city be realistic, but on the deferred costs to home would likely respond with a lien we’ve also got to do buyers, asked if the proposed on the property. developments would be After discussing the something.” limited to rental properties? initiative, present council Mayor Schieve Thomas explained that the members—excluding Oscar initiative is designed specifically Delgado and including Devon to facilitate developments that Reese via phone—approved it, with include 30 dwelling units for more, the general consensus of it as a first, not not single-family homes, adding, “I think your ultimate, step. concern about how it might relate to financing “I get a little frustrated with all of these and carrying it forward, I mean, if we’re honest people that are like, ‘Oh, the mayor thinks this with ourselves, the cost is going to be borne by is going to save the housing crisis,’” Schieve the buyer no matter how you cut it.” said during the meeting. “I don’t. I don’t. Councilmember Neoma Jardon jumped We’ve got to be realistic, but we’ve also into the conversation shortly thereafter to note got to do something. And we’ve got to keep that owners of property in opportunity zones trying to do something—because that’s where receive tax benefits but must own the property we’d be really letting down the public, if we for 10 years prior to receiving them. don’t keep trying.” “So they would not be in a position of In the coming months, the city council will individual-ownership condos, because, obvireview each development proposal prior to ously, they would be selling them off before approving or rejecting it. Ω
Word on the street
The Virginia Street road construction project continues. Last week, according to the project website, crews paved the lower section of Virginia Street from Plumb Lane to Mt. Rose Street. Sidewalks, paving, median island construction, striping, signs, landscaping and aesthetics are underway. Side streets have been paved in the area, and crews are installing signs, striping and sidewalks this week. PHOTO/JERI DAVIS
10.10.19 | RN&R | 7