TO THE EDITOR:

For years I have heard discontentment and concerns from our citizens, business owners and visitors to our city, about the look, the feel, the parking, the drive/walk-ability through our downtown, and the lack of retail, services and entertainment opportunities.

In 1994, the city council adopted a downtown plan which has remained on the shelf for the past 12-years. Individuals that have come to town to develop or remodel a business in our downtown are not given the plan, nor made aware that the plan even exists. Recently, developers coming into city hall to apply for permits to build or remodel have not even been advised about the cityís efforts, currently underway, to create current development guidelines for downtown.

This year, the city council established as one of our top five goals, the revitalization of our downtown. To pursue this goal, the council established a Downtown Revitalization Task Force, made up of citizens, business owners, a Chamber of Commerce representative, and members of our boards and commissions. This group has diligently been meeting for 10 months, developing strategies to help revive and improve our downtown. Theyíve met with downtown businesses, which many expressed concern over the downtown, how they are surviving, how they need better parking, improved aesthetics, and more business. The task forceís goal is to have a full plan presented to the city council for adoption in November 2006, four months from now.

During this 10-month period, there have come vacant properties, and prime development opportunities, of which the task force hoped to help guide and assist in developing the properties. However, without a definitive plan developed, approved and adopted, this is not possible.

At our meetings, the Task Force did discuss on multiple occasions the implementation of a moratorium; however, no vote was ever taken by the group on whether or not to request a hearing on a moratorium. Since development has already begun on some parcels, which donít necessarily follow the ideals expressed so far for improving our downtown, at the June 19 meeting, I presented a request to the city council that a public hearing be held on a short-term moratorium to provide the council an opportunity to finalize and adopt a current plan.

The proposed moratorium, presented as a 6-month moratorium, until a plan is developed and adopted, may only need to be for 4 months, as the task force has slated November 2006 as their goal to have a plan developed. The plan, which would be developed only through public participation and input would develop guidelines and standards for new development, redevelopment and expansion of properties in our core downtown. The moratorium and future plan in no way would require property owners to remodel or reconstruct their buildings to meet the plan. It would, however, provide an opportunity and possible assistance for improvements to the downtown.

The proposed downtown district included in the moratorium language encompasses a larger portion of our city than just our core downtown area, and was included for Tax Increment Financing District purposes only. Any property located within the proposed moratorium area which is desiring to develop within the moratorium period, may request a waiver from the city council should they desire to construct, reconstruct or remodel their properties. The main focus of the plan is for our core downtown area.

Although a moratorium is always a last choice remedy for cities, I see this as a vital step to ensure the improved vitality of downtown, and our city as a whole.

If you have questions or comments, please feel free to give me a call at 674-0353. The hearing is scheduled for July 24, 7 p.m. at North Branch City Hall.

Amy T. Oehlers
NB City Councilmember