CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Conduct the public hearing and direct staff to prepare ordinances approving the Block 59 Business District Plan and setting an associated Business District tax of one percent
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, Director/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Brixmor Properties ("Brixmor") owns both the Westridge Court and Heritage Square shopping centers and has been assessing major changes to the sites. They plan to remove many of the existing buildings and re-orient the site with a central public green space surrounded by outlots along Route 59 and Aurora Avenue. This will require complete removal and relocation of the infrastructure that serves these centers.
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 the Westridge Court and Heritage Square properties.
On December 20, 2022 the City Council passed an ordinance scheduling a public hearing on January 17, 2023 to consider the establishment of the Block 59 Business District. Because there was not enough support to establish a Business District over the entire Westridge Court center, the City Council directed Brixmor to return with a plan that removed the two northern parcels of the Westridge Court center.
The revised draft Business District plan removing the northern parcels was presented at the February 7, 2023 meeting. The City Council supported the changes and passed an ordinance scheduling a public hearing for the revised Business District for February 21, 2023.
As required by state statute, the Notice of The Public Hearing was published in the newspaper. Attached is the certificate from the Tribune Media Group confirming the notice was published on February 8, 2023 and February 10, 2023. Also attached is a cop...
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