Two development companies were on the agenda for four public hearings at Monday’s Carroll City Council meeting. There were no comments from the public or the council on one, but the second drew concerns from both. Rolling Hills Condominiums requested Tax Increment Financing (TIF), which would total an incentive of $72,000 to Matt Greteman of 704 Development Corporation for six duplex buildings at Westridge and Summit Drives. The required urban renewal plan and the development agreement were both unanimously approved, with all three readings waived for acceptance of the ordinance. The second development project, two, 30-unit higher-end apartment complexes and eight duplex buildings, to be located north of the Carroll Fire Department on the east side of Bella Vista Drive, is proposed by Kenyon Hill Ridge, LLC. They were seeking TIF funding to cover the cost of public utilities, estimated at $493,060. Several council members said they heard from just one resident who was concerned about the project, until it was explained that the rents would be over $900 per month. Council member, Carolyn Siemann, immediately voiced her opposition to the project for the second time since it was brought before the group. She says she believes they are overbuilding, concentrating too much in one area and that it is a bad precedent to subsidize a project of this magnitude.
Councilman, Clay Haley responded by saying the precedent had been set with the approval of the previous TIF project and he has talked with several young people looking for just this type of housing. In addition to those concerns, Siemman says the company is not local. Councilman, Jerry Fleshner, commented he believes there is a demand for the apartments.
Siemann asserted again that maybe the demand just isn’t there and that is why there hasn’t been any development of this type. Carroll County Supervisor and a resident near the proposed project, Neil Bock and his wife, Rhonda, both say they want to see long-term safeguards in place for the entire neighborhood, and would prefer to see these kinds of incentives provided to local companies.
Another resident, Jean Ludwig, says she supports the comments made by the Bocks and would prefer to see the city proceed with caution to help eliminate the chances that the apartments could become a concentration of Section 8 or 42 housing after the December 31, 2031 agreement expiration date. Councilman, LaVern Dirkx, requested that they delay their final decision until there has been a chance for more public input. To accommodate this option, the council approved the resolution with a vote of five in favor and one, Siemann, voting against. They then waived the first reading of the ordinance and scheduled the second reading to take place in two weeks. This was approved unanimously. Full audio from the discussion can be found included below.
