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City eyes fouled land
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| Mayor Stephen Witt and City Manager Scott Reynolds look at the Brownfield Area map. These parts of Lake City have passed the first reading. The second reading is set for 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 in City Council chambers. |
Designation could entice development.
By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
Not a single member of the public spoke either for or against a proposed designation of brownfields areas Monday night at the City Council meeting in Lake City.
City Manager Scott Reynolds and Downtown Redevelopment Manager Jackie Kite introduced City Council to a concept for the state and federal governments to fund improvements to parts of Lake City.
The Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program involves the designation of certain areas for cleanup and improvements. Complications related to the development of some areas due to actual or perceived contamination is what brought the Brownfields program to be.
The first step in the process to improve the areas is for the local government to designate the brownfield regions by resolution. Monday night was the first of two required public hearings to attain that goal.
The next scheduled public hearing is 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1.
By consensus, Council members previously told Reynolds to go forward with doing what is required to designate brownfields and to seek input from the community, Mayor Stephen Witt said.
The designation benefits developers and allows incentives for cleaning up contaminated sites or developing properties within the brownfield area.
If property is located in a designated brownfield area, the owner may be eligible for a $2,400 job bonus refund for every new job created by an eligible business.
There are sales tax credits given for the construction of housing or mixed commercial-residential projects.
In other action by City Council, it approved:
n A letter to the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners to let it know of the possibility of changing the Community Redevelopment Area’s district and possible modification of the Downtown Action Plan.
n A resolution allowing Consulting Professions Inc. for lead-based paint inspection, hazard risk assessment and clearance testing services. This is for 16 parcels containing dwelling units for people who lost property from the March tornado.
n Permits required for the Christmas Festival on Nov. 28 and 29; for the Christmas Parade on Dec. 1; and for the Snow Day events scheduled for Dec. 20, or if necessary on Dec. 27 as an alternate.
n Payment of an invoice for $23,547 to Jones Edmunds for work on the Sisters Welcome Reclaimed Water Project.
n Payment of an invoice for $1,994 to Jones Edmunds for work on the Storm Water Utility Development Project.
n Payment of the final invoice for $3,304 to Brannon, Brown, Haley & Bullock for the city’s purchase of the Butler Tract for use as a sprayfield.
City Manager Scott Reynolds and Downtown Redevelopment Manager Jackie Kite introduced City Council to a concept for the state and federal governments to fund improvements to parts of Lake City.
The Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program involves the designation of certain areas for cleanup and improvements. Complications related to the development of some areas due to actual or perceived contamination is what brought the Brownfields program to be.
The first step in the process to improve the areas is for the local government to designate the brownfield regions by resolution. Monday night was the first of two required public hearings to attain that goal.
The next scheduled public hearing is 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1.
By consensus, Council members previously told Reynolds to go forward with doing what is required to designate brownfields and to seek input from the community, Mayor Stephen Witt said.
The designation benefits developers and allows incentives for cleaning up contaminated sites or developing properties within the brownfield area.
If property is located in a designated brownfield area, the owner may be eligible for a $2,400 job bonus refund for every new job created by an eligible business.
There are sales tax credits given for the construction of housing or mixed commercial-residential projects.
In other action by City Council, it approved:
n A letter to the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners to let it know of the possibility of changing the Community Redevelopment Area’s district and possible modification of the Downtown Action Plan.
n A resolution allowing Consulting Professions Inc. for lead-based paint inspection, hazard risk assessment and clearance testing services. This is for 16 parcels containing dwelling units for people who lost property from the March tornado.
n Permits required for the Christmas Festival on Nov. 28 and 29; for the Christmas Parade on Dec. 1; and for the Snow Day events scheduled for Dec. 20, or if necessary on Dec. 27 as an alternate.
n Payment of an invoice for $23,547 to Jones Edmunds for work on the Sisters Welcome Reclaimed Water Project.
n Payment of an invoice for $1,994 to Jones Edmunds for work on the Storm Water Utility Development Project.
n Payment of the final invoice for $3,304 to Brannon, Brown, Haley & Bullock for the city’s purchase of the Butler Tract for use as a sprayfield.
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Go Hot Dog GO wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:30 AM: