To get a sense of the convoluted and cloudy dealings of the good old boys of City council just take a look at agenda item 4 from last nights Bryan Commerce and Development (City Council) meeting. Colored text indicates the questions of Councilman Mike Southerland. No wonder these people are pointing a finger at guiltless people for manufactured misdeeds. It is diversion.
04/30/07, David Storrie was the submitter.
Item 4 On the Bryan Commerce and Development agenda:
SUMMARY STATEMENT: The following amendment is to formalize an agreement between Bryan Commerce and Development, Inc., and Melrose Community Properties for the purpose of donating land subject to the Master Economic Development Agreement (MEDA) to the Texas A & M University System Health Science Center(HSC).
This agreement allows the release of 57.3739 acres of land subject to the MEDA by Melrose for the HSC in exchange for other real property to be contributed to Traditions Club and Bryan/Traditions L.P. for commercial/retail as well as residential development in Bryan, Texas. The land defined as 29.0989 acres and 20.5424 acres further described as commercial tracts and shown in Exhibit A as Traditions Club will be transferred to Melrose or an entity controlled by Melrose no later than May 11, 2007.
Why not transfer to the partnership instead of the total control of Melrose?
The land defined as 50.655 acres further described as the residential tract in Exhibit A will be transferred to Bryan/Traditions L.P. at a later date based upon the terms of the MEDA and as requested by Melrose the residential developer.
Why a later date?
Bryan/Traditions L.P. is the partnership established between the BCD and Melrose for the purposes of residential development as well as providing a percentage back to BCD in the form of lot reimbursement for land contributed to the partnership.
As part of this agreement and described on Exhibit D, two parcels of land containing 13.715 acres and 3.17 acres of land designated for future development will have the current deed restriction of no permanent habitation removed. However, the permanent habitation clause will remain in effect for the 5 acres of land designated for future lodge and conference center development and the 6.721 acres of land currently being developed with Phase 1 casitas.
The staff of the city will also support a rezoning application submitted by the Club rezoning Parcels 1C and 9C depicted on Exhibit D to residential use versus golf use since it is no longer feasible to continue golf use.
Does this circumvent the planning and zoning process?
In addition to the conveyance of land, the city also agrees to fund, if necessary, the cost of entry way statements, multi-use paths and the construction of two bridges. The location of the bridges will be mutually agreed upon by the city and Melrose.
What is the price tag for these items?
The nature of this agreement is in line with current development obligations that have already been funded by the City of Bryan within Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number Ten.
Additionally, the city will agree to maintain a 100’ green space buffer on the 12.5 acre Galindo tract. The city will also take reasonable measures to ensure that development standards within the 59.76 acres of land described as Intercap on Exhibit A will meet current Melrose and Traditions architectural standards.
What is the cost of this 100ft strip and the dimensions?
What authority does the city have to enforce Melrose architectural standards?
Furthermore, this agreement stipulates that on or before April 1, 2008, Melrose will begin construction of the additional clubhouse which will be approximately 25,000 square feet with a budget of approximately $6,000,000.00. Completion of the additional clubhouse will be on or before September 1, 2009.
Why is this proposed and what does this have to do with the Health Science Center land exchange?
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
An Agenda on the Agenda
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Were any of the questions asked by Mike Southerland answered - either by staff or the presenter or other Council members? I have known Mike for a number of years and know him to very diligent and very conscientious. I have also sat on many Boards of Directors (similar to sitting on City Council - you have a fiducuary responsibility to a larger group of stakeholders)- and "questioning" management (city staff) is what YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
Questioning during decision-making does several positive things:
it promotes "complete" decision-making (has the decision been well thought out)
it promotes buy-in and ownership of the decision
it protects staff - the decision is the Board's (or Council's) to make
It is Council's primary responsibility to lead this City - it should lead by seeking complete information in order to make informed decisions.
To Bill
I have not received an answer to my questions from that meeting and tried last night (May 8 council meeting) to continue but Jason Bienski cut the discussion by “calling the question”. The Health Science Center will in my opinion be a great economic engine for Bryan as well as the entire area and will provide badly needed medical service workers to the local area and state. The question for me remains how the land trading was done did the city get equal vale and how much cost the city is obligated for in the future with all the additional commitments to Melrose and others. My hope is that the new council will want to review this action and make sure all questions are answered.
Post a Comment