Funds sought for Portland area projects (09/06/06)

A local developer is hoping the city will lend a hand to help jump-start his project, and officials are hoping a grant will do the same for a project outside the city limits.

Jason Bullard, who plans to build a 35-lot subdivision called Hidden Cove on Portland's south side, has asked the city to pay $175,000 for infrastructure.

Portland City Council members also heard discussion regarding a request for a $150,000 grant which would fund infrastructure at the Premier Ethanol LLC plant southwest of Portland.

The funds requested by Bullard would be used to construct the street and cul-de-sac within the subdivision. This includes curbs, the excavation and paving, Bullard said.

The council took no action on the Bullard's request Tuesday evening.

Bullard first announced plans for the subdivision in 2004, and received approval for the primary plat about 21 months ago. A local zoning official said this morning that the process of gaining approval for the project must be re-started.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, suggested Tuesday evening that council members Judy Aker, Jerry Leonhard and Bill Gibson form a committee to further review the request. Hosier said the three had already agreed to the task. Council members did not approve the formation of the committee.

The subdivision would be located south of Floral Avenue and west of Hagins Avenue. The new street would begin off of Floral Avenue near General Shanks Elementary School.

Bullard said it would be a good investment for the city because Portland would benefit from the tap-in fees, property taxes and utility payments. Local contractors also would benefit, he said.

"Several people would be affected by this subdivision," Bullard said.

There is a need for more housing in the city because the existing subdivisions are full, he said.

"The city of Portland has fallen behind on housing in the city," Bullard said.

"If we decide to do this we'd certainly be obligated to" do it for other developers down the road, said councilman Jim Sanders. "Just so everybody's aware, we are going to be obligated."

That is a possibility, Bullard said. "The cost of developing is just getting very expensive to do."

The primary plat for the subdivision was approved by the Portland Planning Commission in January of 2005. The land needed for the project was re-zoned to an R-8, with five to eight dwellings per acre, from an R-4, four dwellings or less per acre.

Bill Milligan, Jay/Portland Building and Planning administrator, said this morning, the secondary plat for the subdivision was never approved by the planning commission. The primary plat will have to go to the planning commission again because it has been so long since it was approved, he said.

Most primary plats are only good for 10 to 12 months, Milligan said. The city's zoning ordinance does not list an expiration date for the primary plat, but does state that the secondary plat is only good for up to 12 months. Construction must begin within that time frame.

After Tuesday's meeting, Bullard said that since the project plans were approved he has been trying to determine if there is an interest in the housing market in Portland.

Bullard estimated construction of at least two homes could begin this year.

In other business, council members heard Bob Quadrozzi, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation, say that the city is applying for a $150,000 grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for the Premier Ethanol plant.

Quadrozzi said the funds would be used for infrastructure for the plant, which is planned to be built southwest of Portland.

Hosier said after the meeting, the city is applying for the grant rather than the county, because only municipalities can apply for such a grant. Hosier said he didn't know if the county would be considered a municipality.

"Is it pretty much a given" that the grant request will be approved? council member Dolphus Stephens asked during the meeting.

Quadrozzi said it is.

Also Tuesday, council members:

•Voted to send two five-year tax abatement requests to the Portland Tax Abatement Advisory Committee for approval.

Pennville Custom Cabinetry, 600 E. Votaw St., Portland, requested an abatement on the purchase of a new router, which is expected to cost $225,000. The new equipment will create one job with an annual salary of $35,000 to $40,000.

International Paper, 300 Industrial Park Drive, requested an abatement on the purchase of a saw, an assembler and an air filter, Quadrozzi said. Cost of the equipment is estimated at $181,000.

Tax abatements allow companies to pay taxes in increasing increments over several years. The additional taxes due on the capital investment are phased in.

•Looked through an issue of magazine Energize ECI.

The publication includes information about economic development in Jay County and its towns and cities, Quadrozzi said. It has comments from local business owners, Hosier and Dunkirk mayor, Sam Hubbard.

Several other East Central Indiana counties also are featured in the magazine, he said.

•Heard Hosier announce that renovations to Portland City Hall recently were completed. The changes can be viewed during an open house set to be held during Municipal Government Week in October.

Changes include a new front entrance area and front door, the replacement of several other doors in city hall and the Portland Police Station, and some refinished woodworking.[[In-content Ad]]