Board of Aldermen meeting recap

     The Board of Aldermen met for its regularly scheduled meeting on August 22nd, approving a resolution to enter into an agreement with Confluence Inc. to update the City's comprehensive master plan and develop a parks master plan.
     Under Ordinances, the Board approved the first reading of an ordinance to approve the final plat of Eagle Ridge Estates and the first reading of an ordinance to renew the City's contract for water purchase with Tri-County Water Authority.
     Following a number of residents expressing their concern during public comments for a proposed multi-family development east of NW Sni-A-Bar Parkway where NW Sni-A-Bar Blvd. dead ends to the east, the first reading of the ordinance to change the zoning to allow for the development of the Lofts at Creekside Landing was approved after a tie-breaking vote from Mayor Mike Todd.
     The ordinance would change the zoning on approximately 7.53 acres from District R-3 PUD (multi-family residential district-planned unit development) to District R03P (multi-family residential district-planned overlay district). The proposed development will consist of four apartment buildings containing 24 units in each building; three four-plex buildings, and one duplex, with a total of 110 units on the property. 
     Alderman Skinner expressed his approval of the proposed project, citing the need for affordable housing for those who cannot afford single family housing at current market prices.
      Alderman Arnold expressed concern over the project, citing the number of units planned and concerns for the impact on local schools. 
     Reached for comment following the meeting, Todd explained his reasoning behind the tie-breaking vote. 
     "I went back and forth on where I was at with this one. Had it not already been zoned R3 over a decade ago, I would have voted differently on it. The fact is when looking at the two plans I believe the apartment layout is better than the fourplexes that were part of the 2006 plan.  With it being a parking lot and not a city street we won’t face the parking issues like we do in other parts of town where we have mostly duplexes and fourplexes. Parking on the street has been something we have struggled with in several of these locations," Todd said. 
     "Additionally, our vacancy numbers show that we are in need of this type of housing option.  We don’t have a lot to offer residents who are not ready or who don’t want to spend northwards of 250 grand on a starter home. Unfortunately, at this time that is where the starter home market is at. We have young professionals, empty nesters, and newly married couples who are looking for this type of housing with the amenities that are going to be offered. With the already approved fourplexes you don’t have the amenities."
     The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen will be held September 26, 2022 at 7:00pm. 
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