Patrick -On Oct 2, 2007, at 3:01 PM, Patrick Goetz wrote:-To respond privately, use the "Reply" command.To post to the list "Forward" to [at] -
Martin Thomen wrote: So the headline on the website says "Success"- on what exactly I'mreally not sure. Success in driving away a developer who obviouslyvalues the neighborhood? Success in refusing to negotiate?
I'm really not trying to be mean, but calling the vote last night a "Success" for the folks opposed to granting a variance shows a very high level of inexperience with these sorts of processes.Specifically, if this were going to city council instead of the BOA, the developer would be virtually assured, at this point, of being granted the variance. Here's why:currently, the city is collecting $10K-$15K per year in property tax from those 2 parcels.If the Endeavor deal goes through, they (+AISD, etc.) will start collecting over $750,000/year in property taxes instead.(Let's not even bother to mention service fees, sales tax, etc..) Now, put yourself in the shoes of a city official with thousands of causes/issues/problems clamoring for money every year. Would you rather have a what's there now bringing in $15,000/yr or -- at no cost to you -- have the same parcel pulling down $750,000/yr?This is really a no brainer for them -- they want to allow these deals to happen, but also want to get re-elected.Consequently if an NA is adamantly opposed to a project and hundreds of people show up at city hall with pitchforks and torches, they have no choice but to say no.In this case, a 78 to 79 vote gives them the perfect cover to point out that the neighborhood is evenly divided on the issue, but they have to make a choice after all, so why not give the developer (and the property owner) what they want?The BOA is mostly immune from these kinds of financial considerations, which is why this is the one case where this isn't an automatic win for the developer.However, the Planning Commission, BOA, and City Council see these sorts of cases every week and are well aware that people who oppose a project are almost always more highly motivated then those who support it, and factor that into their decision making.Like I said, if this were anything but a BOA case, this would be a slam-dunk win for the developer.I was frankly shocked at the outcome and am proud of the neighborhood for thoughtfully considering this issue.
Back to the tax thing.$750,000 clams every single year is a lot of simoleons; money that would pay for an awful lot of sidewalks and neighborhood amenities.One of the things to consider in all this is requesting that the city set up a TIF for these kinds of very high density develops in the neighborhood, so that a good chunk of the money comes directly back to us for us to invest in our infrastructure.This might even include buying up land for a neighborhood park (to cite one of my favorite examples), a community center, what have you.------------------------------------------------------------------------Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in messages are solely that of the authorand not of the list administrators nor Druma Inc (sponsor 14gram.com).Website: Northfield Neighborhood Assoc - www.main.org/nna------------------------------------------------------------------------Unsubscribe & "howto" info, send a blank email to [at] -
