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Council approves zoning change for Van Dorn project

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By DEENA WINTER / Lincoln Journal Star

Monday, Jun 05, 2006 - 07:32:31 pm CDT

The City Council delayed action Monday on a building permit but approved a zoning change for a developer who wants to build a small retail and office park on land bounded by Ninth, 10th, Van Dorn and Hill streets.

The project appears headed for approval even though it has been opposed by neighbors concerned about traffic congestion and safety problems. The developer agreed to restrictions on commercial uses —no coin-operated car washes or auto body shops, for example — to try to satisfy neighbors.

B&J Partnership, the real estate arm of Speedway Motors, agreed to delay action on the building permit but not the zoning change while the city explores whether the area would be eligible for blight designation, which would open the door to tax increment financing.

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TIF could be used for landscape and streetscape improvements, neighborhood signs and walkway improvements.

B&J didn’t request TIF, but is willing to delay building permits for a “reasonable amount of time,” said the company’s attorney, Mark Hunzeker.

“It really wasn’t necessarily our idea but we haven’t opposed the idea,” he said. “There’s no harm in looking at it.“

However, the three Republicans on the City Council questioned whether this is a suitable project for TIF, saying it doesn’t meet the state law “but for” test. The urban renewal tool is to be used for projects that, “but for” public assistance in the form of TIF, wouldn’t come to fruition.

Councilman Ken Svoboda said this project was moving forward without TIF. There was also concern that the process of doing a blight study, declaring the area blighted and coming up with a redevelopment agreement would slow the project down too much.

Councilwoman Robin Eschliman said it took years for the city’s legal department to get comfortable with using TIF, and if the city starts making a stretch to use it, “everybody around town is gonna start making that grab.”

But the Democrats on the council argued that it was worth pursuing because the money could be used to improve the quasi-entrance to the city. And they said the city’s law department could be trusted to determine whether it’s an acceptable move.

Svoboda’s motion to take TIF out of the equation failed by a vote of 3-4.

Reach Deena Winter at 473-2642 or dwinter@journalstar.com.


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Hoppy wrote on June 5, 2006 2:18 pm:
" Argh - another delay in the name of "neighborhood preservation"!! Really just a delaying tactic from the anti-business crowd who cloak themselves in the guise of being 'pro-neighborhood' but are nothing more than knee-jerk obstructionists to any type of progressive business development. If they had their way the city would still have dirt streets. My sympathies are with the Smiths' who are putting up the capital to do this and assuming the risk. "
Barbara wrote on June 5, 2006 4:31 pm:
" This development will happen - there are a lot of supporters of the project. "
Joe Taxpayer wrote on June 5, 2006 5:39 pm:
" Sure hold out for TIF money. The city hands out too much TIF money already and that is why Joe Taxpayer shells out half his income to taxes. I just purchased a new home,where is my TIF money? Oh wait, only big business gets TIF money. That neighborhood area sucks. It needs some development. A few years ago B&J wanted to put a C store on that corner but it was shot down as well. The city needs to think in terms of tax dollars. Everytime they turn down a development deal they are shorting themselves tax revnue. Please approve the development but don't give them any TIF money. Handing out TIF money is not fair to the rest of us. "
Roger wrote on June 5, 2006 10:56 pm:
" yeild to big business and favorites and you will become what you sew. Reaping what you sew will show up sooner not later. The city council really hasn't changed much they just still vote to spend money, even if we don't have it. Why do you think everyone is so confused about these and other issues. The issues are decided before the votes are even counted, and if the votes don't turn out the way they want they just do some razel dazel and get it anyway. I personally will try to avoid this street as many times as possible. Speedway already has too many breaks coming it way. General motors must really love this guy. "
Scott wrote on June 5, 2006 11:54 pm:
" This is a terrible idea for this location. Traffic congestion and safety are already of a concern in the area, especially with the amount of truck traffic turning westbound on Van Dorn from 10th Street. Furthermore, it risks further marginalizing an already depressed neighborhood with development that does not fit the charactor of surrounding properties. I don't blame neighbors from being opposed to it, regardless of if they own their property or rent. Surely there are other locations that Speedway could look into to build another strip mall that would have a better effect on the character of the city. "

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