City considers fee deferrals for long-awaited Barlow project
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Aldridge wants to break ground ASAP
by David Abbott
Sonoma West Editor
Published: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 1:00 PM PDT
SEBASTOPOL — Redevelopment was on the agenda for the Sebastopol City Council, as CVS/Chase and Barney Aldridge’s Barlow Project required action to move forward.
Aldridge made an appearance in the wake of a June 29 request to the City for assistance in order to continue work on his proposed mixed-use development at the old apple processing plant on the east side of town.
The request involved the waiving of $505,000 in fees combined with grants or low interest redevelopment loans totaling about $1 million in financial assistance, in an attempt to close an estimated $4 million funding gap.
The development would include upgrades such as extending McKinley Street through to Morris Street, as well as clearing out polluted dirt and putting utilities underground, at a cost of about $1.8 million, according to construction estimates provided to the city by Aldridge.
But according to City Manager Jack Griffin, with the status of redevelopment throughout the state, the City is in no position to consider redevelopment loans or any type of grants due to its current financial situation.
“This is a classic redevelopment action,” he said. “It’s why they were created — to assist in upgrades to blighted properties.”
But Governor Jerry Brown proposed the elimination of redevelopment agencies in his first budget, leading to a lawsuit on its Constitutionality which will go before the California Supreme Court in January.
“It’s tied the hands of redevelopment until it’s resolved,” Griffin said.
So Council considered the deferral of some fees in order to help Aldridge get construction underway and speed up municipal improvements the City cannot afford.
There was universal support for the project by Council, but also acknowledgment of the City’s financial situation.
Councilmember Sarah Gurney wanted assurances that the City would not be on the hook for losses if the project was never completed, citing the Litchfield subdivision which has “a street with no houses,” four owners and is currently for sale, according to Gurney.
Griffin said the City cannot force the developer to complete the project, so advised Council to focus on fees that “won’t be out of pocket” for the city.
Aldridge, standing barefoot at the podium, laid out the challenges that he faces moving forward and the sacrifices he has made to keep the project afloat, including selling his private residence, which he said will cover about half of the needed amount.
He has also entered into partnerships with his ex-wife, his ear, nose and throat doctor, as well as the Martin family, former owners of the property.
“Whatever you guys can do would be great,” Aldridge said. “(The project) is too big for one guy to do alone.”
With the recent announcement that Innovative Molding will be moving, Aldridge faces a daunting challenge just to pay mortgage and taxes on the property, although he said that he is near the 75 percent occupancy he needs to satisfy the bank.
The new businesses include Kosta Browne Winery; Woodfour Brewing Co., a boutique beer maker; Bliss Bakery, a Santa Rosa-based maker of gluten-free baked goods; and Mama Tina’s Ravioli, a small Guerneville-based company that makes homemade pasta.
Aldridge acquired the property in 2005, and the current proposal to develop the 6.5 acre site is his third version.
“The Barlow,” will include artist studios, small food and beverage producers, space for a year-’round Sebastopol Farmer’s Market and park-like green spaces.
City staff will do a financial analysis of Aldridge’s proposal and return to Council with a recommendation at a future date.
In other news, Council voted unanimously to enact a moratorium on any further medical marijuana clinics until staff can amend the current policy, reducing the number of allowed dispensaries from two to one.
Council also voted to move forward with the abandonment of Barnes Avenue in anticipation of the CVS/Chase development that is expected to begin soon at the site of the former Pellini Chevrolet, pending the outcome of a lawsuit by a citizens’ group seeking a full Environmental Impact Report on the project.
The City will retain the right to take back the right-of-way in the future.
David Abbott can be reached at [email protected].