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| Revitalization plan may expand |
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| News | |||
| Written by Brian McCauley | |||
| Tuesday, 10 November 2009 08:00 | |||
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More Paolans will be able to utilize the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Plan if changes discussed last week by Paola City Council members are implemented. The plan recently was reviewed by the Paola Planning Commission, and Paola City Council members put their two cents into the discussion during a work session Nov. 3. The plan was approved in 2004 as a way to promote the revitalization of a portion of the city — primarily the west side. A tax rebate incentive is offered to residents willing to improve their properties. An eligible homeowner can use the program to not be entirely affected by the increase in property taxes once a property is improved and its assessed valuation increases. The plan is a joint effort between Paola and Miami County. Currently, the plan is available to both residential and commercial property owners, but there must be at least a $10,000 increase in the appraised value of the property after the improvements for the tax breaks to take effect. One of the items discussed was whether to include vacant lots, such as the one at the intersection of Peoria and Silver streets, which are inside the boundaries of the plan. The council members agreed that when the plan was approved five years ago, the housing market was booming and there was no need to create an incentive for developers to buy the vacant lots. Now, it makes sense to add the handful of lots to the program, which would allow 90 percent of the value of the new home on the lot to be eligible for a tax rebate for the first three years in the program. Only a handful of properties utilize the program each year, and the council members reviewed a list from the past three years during the meeting. Many of the properties were businesses around Park Square making renovations. The council members also tentatively agreed to expand the plan’s boundaries to include all of the older portions of the city out to Hospital Drive to the east and Baptiste Drive to the north. Some areas, like the Ursuline Sisters property may be excluded. No official decision could be made at the work session. Any official changes to the plan must be approved, not only by the Paola City Council, but also Miami County and Paola USD 368, because both are also taxing entities. Miami County handles the administration of the program. To date, the program has been linked to $1,241,230 in increased property values because of improvements. In other business at the Nov. 3 work session, council members: Discussed the city’s water leak allowance policy. Currently, Paola’s policy allows someone to request a water leak allowance if their water bill is twice as much as the highest bill they had received during the previous year. There also must be proof that the leak is repaired, and the homeowner can not apply for another allowance for another 4 years. The council members suggested a number of possible changes, including eliminating the plan all together as some cities have done. But, ultimately, a majority of the council members agreed to leave the plan as is. Councilman Pete Bell said he doesn’t think sprinkler systems should be included in the policy. No official decision could be made. Reviewed the city’s financial situation in a number of areas. The council members were not pleased that the city is reportedly losing money on concessions at the Paola Family Pool. The consensus was that changes need to be made, which could include contracting out the concession service to an outside company. No official decision could be made. Discussed participation with the National Boat Racing Association for a summer event at Lake Miola. The council members agreed that the event sounded like more trouble than it is worth, especially considering the cost and the number of things requested of the city, such as free advertising and the stationing of an ambulance at the event.
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