CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance and schedule a public hearing for February 21, 2023 for the Block 59 Business District
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J Novack, Director of TED/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
On September 20, 2022 the City Council adopted a resolution expressing the City’s intent to consider the designation of a Business District, impose a Business District tax, and induce development interest for portions of the Westridge Court Shopping Center and Heritage Square properties.
On January 17, 2023 the City Council conducted a public hearing for the proposed Business District which, at that time, included all Westridge Court and Heritage Square. After closing the public hearing, the consensus of the City Council was to exclude the northern 20 acres of Westridge Court from the Business District.
The City Council recommended the following to property owner Brixmor:
1. To reduce the size of the Business District by approximately 20 acres by removing the three northernmost parcels, and
2. To commit to paying for at least half of a new traffic signal at Jefferson Avenue and their northern entrance
DISCUSSION:
Brixmor and their consultant, Kane McKenna and Associates, have updated the draft Business District Plan to reflect the elimination of the northern 20 acres. The draft Business District Plan dated January 26, 2023 is attached.
The State of Illinois Business District law requires the City Council to pass the attached ordinance scheduling the public hearing for February 21, 2023. Notice of the public hearing is also being published in the newspaper on February 8 and February 10, 2023.
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A