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Jacksonville council establishes urban planning agency By MELISSA MARTIN JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville City Council voted Tuesday night to create an urban renewal agency that could generate between $3.9 and $8 million over a 25-year period. But the council stopped short of approving a proposed project list that includes repairing the sewer system, helping with pavement costs for California Street and buying a new fire engine. "This establishes you as an agency, bringing it to life," City Administrator Paul Wyntergreen told the council. "But you can't collect money or do projects until the plan is adopted, the second step of the process." The council, voting 5-2 in favor, took only the first step to give time to hear from the community, either by a ballot in May or by sending out an informal survey with the water bills. "This should go to a public vote," said Jerry Mathern. "We're looking at a large amount of money." He noted that only five members out of 25 residents serving on the Citizens Advisory Committee supported an urban renewal district. Judging from telephone calls, Jacksonville residents will vote it down, said councilwoman Donna Schatz, who voted against the idea Tuesday. "When this issue first came up, there were many comments and most people said, 'Don't do it,' " Schatz said. The City Council can rescind the motion if the public indicates it doesn't want an urban renewal district, said Councilman Dean Paddison. The city's economic commission suggested creating an urban renewal agency as a way to fund much-needed projects without raising taxes, said councilman Bill Leep. In urban renewal districts, assessed values are frozen for a 25-year period, while increases are directed to Jacksonville and away from other taxing districts. While the council didn't adopt a project list, members talked for nearly two hours about projects in the Core Enhancement Plan, which is the city's way of preserving its historic downtown area. The council unanimously approved Tuesday night a pared-down version of the plan. They kept the design of the Britt Gardens and the cottage industry building, where owners would live upstairs and work downstairs. But they cut city plans to help with funding. "I'm not sure the city should be the landowner, developer and promoter of this project," said councilman Wally Hicks. "If it's a worthy project, it will promote itself." The City Council also voted unanimously to put a Circuit Court appeal on hold until the Land Use Board of Appeals makes a decision about the Jacksonville Presbyterian Church case. All three attorneys agreed on the council's action, including attorney Tonia Moro, who represents Friends of Jacksonville, the group that opposes the church building plans, John Hansen, attorney hired by First Presbyterian Church, and city attorney Kurt Knudsen. Reach reporter Melissa Martin at 776-4497, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.