July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Plans move ahead (03/03/06)

Portland Planning Commission

By By RACHELLE HAUGHN-

Two commissions agree: TIF could be good for the city of Portland.

Members of the Portland Planning Commission decided Thursday night that a declaratory resolution and economic development plan created by the Portland Redevelopment Commission are in sync with future goals for the city.

The planning commission unanimously voted to recommend the Portland City Council approve both the resolution and the plan. Council members are expected to vote on the matter in a meeting Monday at 7 p.m.

Before voting, planning commission members briefly discussed the resolution and the development plan.

Commission president Vicki Tague highlighted aspects of both documents.

Tague noted that the declaratory resolution says establishing a tax increment financing (TIF) district could promote opportunities for employment, attract new business enterprises to the community and increase the economic well-being of the community and the state.

I feel that “this plan is in alignment with the comprehensive plan for Portland,” she said, referring to the resolution and the economic plan.

Commission member Bob Loucks said when members of the city council review the documents, they should consider the possibility of annexing land. “We are falling behind,” Loucks said. “We need more annexation to have more growth.”

Overall, Loucks was pleased with the declaratory resolution and the economic development plan.

“It appears to me that our chore is quite simple.” We can either reject or accept the documents, he said to other commission members.

Before voting, commission member Dolphus Stephens, who is also a member of the city council, asked how long the TIF might last.

Sue Beesley, an attorney with Bingham McHale LLP who is serving as an advisor for the city, said the TIF could be established for up to 30 years. It also could be as short as one year, she said after the meeting. The TIF could not be dissolved until the bonds are paid, she said.

Beesley, Kristi Sturtz of Sturtz Public Management Group and Bob Quadrozzi, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation and president of the redevelopment commission, explained Thursday the boundaries of the TIF district and how it could benefit the city.

The economic development plan lists projects which redevelopment commission members would like to see funded by TIF.

Some of those included in the plan are:

•The widening of Industrial Park Drive to improve traffic flow.

•Extending Lafayette Street west to Industrial Park Drive to enhance the possibility of future developments.

•Revitalizing downtown Portland’s historic district.

Copies of both the development plan and the resolution currently are available for review at Portland City Hall and Jay County Public Library.

If the council approves both documents, the redevelopment commission will then hold a public hearing.[[In-content Ad]]
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