10/20/2008 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Regular Council Meeting 10-20-08 Page 11 responsibility to look at the purchase to see if it is in the best interest of the residents of this community. These are the arguments that he is hearing: 1) we need to purchase this property because someone may come in and try to develop it in a way that we don't believe is part of the big picture. That is fair, but we also have zoning that is in that area already that is residential. If someone wants to come in and change the zoning in that area, they have to go through the process like anyone else who wants to change any zoning in our area. As far as the main plan is concerned for the Village center which we have been looking at and trying to configure and make Mayfield Village more of a walking community that has businesses and so forth, Mr. Saponaro stated that this piece of property is on White Road, it is on a corner property. He is sure it is a very good property, but to him it does not play a strategic role in what we are trying to achieve here. Third, with the economy the way it is and the way we have been discussing our budget throughout this year, Mr. Saponaro stated to make a purchase of a property because it has come up on the market to him is not a good enough reason and unless there is something that he is not aware of, another compelling reason, to him there is no compelling reason to purchase this property at this time. Maybe in the future as we see a part of a bigger plan, but as we sit here today, Mr. Saponaro does not believe it would be a smart purchase or fiscally responsible. Mayor Rinker stated that what your comments suggest is that somehow this just came up for the first time recently. Mr. Saponaro said it did not come up for the first time. Mayor Rinker said but your comments are made for the first time tonight. Mr. Saponaro said his comments are not made for the first time. We don't have discussions on this. This is discussed in Caucus, which Mr. Saponaro made comments on. This is discussed in Finance, which he has made comments on. Both places Mr. Saponaro has made comments. Mayor Rinker said he would like to have the opportunity to address those comments. First of all, this is something that we have had out there for the better part of 8, 10 years. It predates your coming on to Council. Mayor Rinker made reference to that fact in the past. As far as the big picture goes, it has been part of the development plan we have been implementing for the better part of 15 years. Mayor Rinker has stated as much. This is not the first time we looked at the property. This is the third time. In fact, twice before, when Marie indicated she was interested in selling to the Village, we entertained negotiation and got very far along. Then Marie changed her mind. We always respected that because the fact is we really tried to make a point to deal arm's length. So it is not just that it is coming up now or the timing isn't good. The fact of the matter is we have discussed this on and off for quite a period of time: In terms of the zoning, one of the reasons we have looked at this is because of the nature of the change in zoning in that area. We have tried to fortify what is commercially zoned by converting a lot of other land that is surrounding it, most notably Progressive, with softer uses. We acquired a 7-acre parcel at the corner of White Road and 271 probably a dozen years ago. We have acquired the property that is across the street from this property as part of our park system. We negotiated a purchase of part of