The Barlow developer asks Sebastopol to waive fees

City considers fee deferrals for long-awaited Barlow project
https://www.sonomawest.com/articles/2...1177750039.txt
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].

[This was originally posted by dysbtwn. It was reposted by Moderator due to system difficulties. Click for more info.]

I'm just a little confused why, as Kathleen Schaffer has pointed out, in turning down the second medical marijuana dispensary due to our population decreasing from 7800 to 7300, implying that our town can't support more commerce, is now on board for more commerce.

It seems that the elephant in the room, is that our town doesn't have the population to support all these new businesses. How many retail businesses are thriving right now, and how many will go out of business as we add the base of commerce, without adding housing to increase our population. Our population is aging, because young people can't afford the rents or to buy in West County. I think it's great to support new ventures, and artists and farmers markets, etc, but we live in the sticks in a small town that has a decreasing and aging population. Just look at the recent closure of Park Side Elementary school as evidence. Where are all these new customers going to come from?

[This was originally posted by Alexandra. It was reposted by Moderator due to system difficulties. Click for more info.]

I have not made up my mind if I am in favor of waiving the fees for the Barlow Center, I need to study further information. I did want to comment about a few things. I believe the hope is that the Barlow Center would bring in out of town funds from tourists in additional to local support so that it would go beyond only West County needing to sustain the center and in theory provide more jobs for local residents.

Also, please note that it is not Park Side school that closed but Pine Crest Elementary. though there is certainly wide spread talk that Park Side will close as well at the end of the current school year. Pine Crest closed due to extremely poor management. All other districts within the Sebastopol area: Apple Blossom, Gravenstein and Oak Grove are expanding at a rapid pace, hiring teachers , building new classrooms and in some cases have lengthy waiting lists despite these actions. There is quite a bit more of a back story on the closure of Pine Crest which was avoidable and the general demise of the Sebastopol Union School District .

Thanks for the discussion.