Minutes 03-21-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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18 Kristin Hess said the current site feels like trying to fit 10 pounds of potatoes into a 5- pound bag. Kristin Hess said the shell part does not give you more space on the site, because it is not being torn down. Commissioner Price said she finds it confusing that the space is limiting, yet not all the space is needed. Kristin Hess said there is more building than is needed, but there is not enough of the actual site. She said the site has odd pockets that make it tough, but some of the buildings could be torn down to make some more room. Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the idea of affordable housing on the Revere Road site. He said it looks like 14 units could be built in the existing space, with room for some smaller homes around the outside. Chair Dorosin referred to the overhead view of the current site, and said there is a wooded area to the west. He asked if someone else owns this land, or if it is a right of way. Jeff Thompson said this is not County property, and is owned by the Home Owners Association of the neighboring development. Chair Dorosin it may be worth looking into the purchase of this piece of land. Commissioner Jacobs said the Torain Road site is his least favorite, and it suggests two principles that should be avoided in the future: the Greenfield development, and failing to take traffic considerations into account. He said traffic in this area is terrible. Commissioner Jacobs said he is inclined by cost to stay at Revere Road, and if it were used for affordable housing he would like the money for the property, as he is most in favor of a Highway 70 site. He said there is a desire for economic development on the Cornelius Street corridor, and this would be a perfect opportunity. He said this would be readily visible, easily accessible, and already has water and sewer, etc. He said he would like to know cost estimates for such an option. Commissioner McKee said this project has run away, and originally a renovation of a structurally sound building was the only option being considered. He said the vision has gotten lost along the way. He said the current building is dated but usable, and he does not buy the long hallway being inadequate. He said there are schools that are just as old as this building. He said it is a residential neighborhood, but there is also a commercial strip on this portion of Revere Road and it is a mixed-use area. Commissioner McKee said the intersection of Highways 57 and 86 is very congested in the morning, and he does not like this option. Commissioner McKee said he is open to discussion to build a new site along the 70 corridor, but acknowledged that this would cost well over $7 million. He said there are higher and better uses for those funds in many other areas of the County. Commissioner Price said she agreed with previous comments, and she is not in favor of the Torain Street site. She said the current site can be reworked, but she is open to a plan on highway 70. Commissioner Burroughs said major renovations on Revere Road would not be perfect but would be workable, and there are limited capital funds at this point. She said her first instinct is to do a conservative renovation and save some money. She is unsure if that site would work for affordable housing. Commissioner Marcoplos asked if the proposed $7 million cost for a project on highway 70 would include proceeds if the Revere Road site sold for $2 million. Commissioner McKee said he used the figures from option 2b. He said affordable housing always seem to require the County to donate the property, in order to make the project more affordable. He is unsure that there would be profit from using the Revere Road site for affordable housing.