Government Briefs

Buena Vista

The first reading of a proposed ordinance to abandon 200 feet of an alleyway between 31st and 32nd streets in order to create a private street there was held last week by Buena Vista City Council. The action has been requested in conjunction with plans to develop 15 townhouses that would front on the proposed new private street.

At a public hearing on the proposed action, Kristina Ramsey, Buena Vista’s director of economic development, spoke in favor of the planned townhouses. “From the perspective of economic development, housing is needed,” said Ramsey. “There is little available housing. We need more multi-family housing – more affordable housing.”

Calvin Smith, a neighbor of the proposed development whose residence is accessed by the alleyway in question, spoke in opposition to the proposed abandonment of the alley. He raised concerns about access to his house being impeded.

The proposed ordinance states that a “reasonable means of access” will be retained to Smith’s residence during construction activity, and that the resulting private street would be “free of obstructions and in a condition equivalent to the existing alley.”

A second and final reading of the proposed ordinance will be held at City Council’s next meeting on Oct. 3.

Alley Abandoned

Buena Vista City Council last week voted to abandon 150 feet of an alley behind Dean Cash’s property at 740 W. Fourth St.

Cash owns both sides of the alley and is paying $1,125 for the abandonment, or .75 per square foot of land. According to the staff report, this land is not going to be developed, based on its location as a buffer between a residential area and the city’s industrial park.

Resolution Adopted

City Council adopted a resolution in support of Main Street Buena Vista becoming an Advancing Main Street community.

The resolution states the city’s support for Main Street Buena Vista’s application “to become an Advancing Main Street community, recognizing the positive impact the designation could have on the city’s growth and downtown revitalization.”

Appointment Made

Teri Fulwinder was appointed last week by Buena Vista City Council to serve on the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals.