City council against proposed apartment complex

A proposal to construct what would be Portland’s largest housing complex does not have city council’s support.
Portland City Council members were unanimous Monday in their stance against a proposed Wayne Street apartment complex.
Council also OK’d the 2017 city budget, approved purchase of land for an airport runway extension and passed a request for new firefighter residence rules.
Portland City Council heard remarks from Caroline Diamond, a representative from Herman and Kittle Properties of Indianapolis, on the proposed apartment complex on the site of the demolished book bindery.
Council members had been presented the plan at their Sept. 6 meeting, but many said they needed time to gather input from the community and formulate specific questions.
Diamond explained a few changes to the original proposal for Park Vista Apartments, including removing all three-bedroom units from the complex and instead building three one-family houses adjacent to the complex. The new low-income complex would have 30 one-bedroom apartments and 25 two-bedroom apartments, and would be built if the company was approved for low income tax credits awarded by the state. Diamond explained it would still be “senior-friendly” but would be open to any qualifying applicants.
Herman and Kittle would vet each prospective tenant, and would only accept those with employment and no previous felony convictions, with a yearly verification of employment.
Board members met the proposal with skepticism, and expressed a variety of concerns regarding the complex.
“What we’re looking here would be the largest housing development in Portland, it would be larger than Piedmont Apartments, larger than Maple Heights, it would be larger than any other place in Portland, in probably one of the smallest areas,” said council member Kent McClung. “I have concerns with the amount of … people in general in that neighborhood. We have a fairly quiet neighborhood, and we would be putting the largest housing development in Portland there.”
Many council members discussed negative feedback from community members on the proposed complex. Of 28 Portland residents who expressed their opinions to council members, 26 were against the proposed complex.
“I don’t think it’s the right fit for that piece of property. You’re within walking distance of two different schools,” council member Judy Aker said. “So to me family housing … either single-family housing or duplexes would be a better fit for back in there than a three-story apartment complex.”
Community and Family services executive director Andy Glentzer spoke in favor of the development, explaining that he was initially skeptical but after seeing other complexes managed by Herman and Kittle, he felt that it would be beneficial for Portland residents.
“I was impressed by how well it was run … As we look down the road, I know it’s a smaller property, but what are we gonna do with it? Something’s got to be done with it more than what’s being done now,” Glentzer said. “Properties were just neat as a pin, people were happy.”
Council took an informal vote in order to gauge its feelings on the project, with all seven saying they are against the proposal.
Council also approved the 2017 budget, which would aim to keep tax rates at the same level as they are now, about $1.52 per $100 of assessed value, on second and final reading.
Council members had approved the budget on first reading at the Sept. 6 meeting. It will be forwarded to Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, which will review the budget and make changes which will be received by city officials in January.
Council also authorized purchase of land adjacent to Portland Municipal Airport to be used for the runway extension to 5,500 feet from the current 4,000. The 41.24 acres would cost $652,000 with an additional $32,103 for legal and engineering fees. Of that cost, $509,584 would be paid by an Federal Aviation Administration grant, $110,462.58 would come from the city’s rainy day fund and $64,056.42 would come from the city’s cumulative development fund. Construction on the runway project is slated to begin in 2018.
Council members Don Gillespie, Michele Brewster, Mark Hedges, Janet Powers, Bill Gibson, McClung and Aker also voted to extend the area specified in the firefighter residence rules after hearing from fire chief Mike Weitzel that he has had issues filling four open volunteer positions. Weitzel requested that the council extend the range of the firefighter residence rules, which currently require firefighters to live between county road 400 West, county road 400 East, county road 300 North and county road 500 South. Weitzel suggested that the range be extended to cover all of the area that the Portland Fire Department operates in, extending the residence area further south and west.
Weitzel also explained that a firefighter had moved outside of the current residence area, and without extending the range a fifth firefighter vacancy would be created.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from Portland Redevelopment Commission president Mark Clemens about a Portland company that had asked the state for a reduction in its assessed land value. Clemens explained that the lower valuation would significantly reduce income to the city’s tax increment financing (TIF) district. Clemens said financial analysts would examine the situation and that he will give the council further recommendations following examination of the matter.
•Discussed the recent visit from Ball State University students working on a redevelopment plan. Geesaman said the students will return on Sept. 26 to talk to business owners and merchants in Portland. A paper survey is available at Portland City Hall and Portland Chamber of Commerce for the community to provide input. A link to an online survey will also be distributed, but isn’t currently available.
•Heard Gillespie and Geesaman encourage community members to attend the city’s bicentennial celebration Sept. 27.
•Was informed by Geesaman that demolition on the first of four blighted homes will occur Wednesday at 9 a.m. The 704 S. Bridge Street home will serve as a sample demolition for state regulators, and following another round of paperwork the remaining three homes will be demolished as a part of the state’s blight elimination program.
•Heard from Geesaman that smoke testing in Portland’s sewer lines will continue to be conducted by Jones and Henry Engineering for the next three days. The smoke is harmless, and residents can call wastewater department superintendent Bob Brelsford if they have questions or concerns about the smoke.
•Reviewed a proposal for a flood response plan funded by a grant from Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Portland was one of 20 Indiana flood-prone communities selected to create a plan in coordination with Indiana Department of Homeland Security.