CLEAN SLATE ON LAND SWAP PROPERTY
ADJACENT TO VICTORIA BUSINESS DISTSRICT
Councilmembers voted 5-0 on June 14^th to terminate the preliminary develop-ment agreement dated December 29^th, 2006, with Matt Crowe and CEI Ventures for the 13.5 acres of vacant city-owned Land Swap property adjacent to down-town Victoria.  Said Holly Kreft, Director of Planning for the City of Victoria, "Staff does not feel the information is adequate."
Mr. Crowe had proposed several commercial and residential units for the property, as well as a Victoria City Hall-Library complex.  "CEI is looking to work with development partners," reported Planner Kreft.
"I think we need to have a clean break here," said Councilmember Jim Paulsen.  He made a motion to terminate a preliminary development agreement be-tween the City of Victoria and CEI Ven-tures.  He commented that such a termin-ation opens the door and the opportunity to everyone.
Stated Councilmember Tim Amund-sen, "A failure to perform sets a tone.  There was a date, June 1^st."
According to the adopted resolution, CEI did not provide necessary informa-tion for a full financial review by a third party and did not include costs of provid-ing necessary infrastructure to the project. 
Said Councilmember Richard Tieden, "To continue to go down this road while we wait for nothing seems wrong to me."
Agreed Mayor Mary Thun, "Frankly, my concern is that we've tied up even one more day.  I think the Planning Commis-sion has to hash it all out so we don't take up hour after hour of our time begging for information."
Suggested next steps include sending out requests for development proposals for the 13.5 acres that are expected to one day double the size of the downtown business district.
Stated Councilmember Tieden, "I want developers to know we're willing to work with them."
Said Councilmember Paulsen, "There are people in the corridors looking for transactions."
Mayor Thun made a motion directing the planning staff of the City of Victoria to "develop a short list of developers, but not ignore a long list, and get something going here."  Motion passed 5-0.

LAKEVIEW MEADOWS ON SCHUTZ LAKE
NEW DEVELOPMENT PROPOSED IN VICTORIA
The Swain property on the north end of Schutz Lake is currently being consid-ered for single family development.  On June 14^th Victoria councilmembers were presented the opportunity to look at a sketch plat and give comment, with no action requested or required.
City Planner Holly Kreft pointed out that the single entrance to the 21 acres is off State Highway 7.  The sketch plan showed 20 single family lots with six of them having access to Schutz Lake.  Council expressed concerns about the un-usually long "cul de sac."
There is a possibility of a tot lot dedication.  In that regard Councilmember Tim Amundsen stated, "I do not believe that ever neighborhood is entitled to a park.  This isn't the best site for a park, next to Highway 7 and a swamp."  He suggested taking cash in lieu of land.
Ron Swain spoke to councilmembers in regard to concerns about saving trees on the dense property.  "I've lived 32 years here," he said.  "My wife died three years ago.  The first thing she did when we came out here is donate ten acres to the park.  She loved wildlife.  I have a son in England and another son who just had a lung transplant.  I've had several offers for this land.  Developers have to be successful in order to pay me."
The request for the $30 million development is by Scott Schmitt doing business as Clearwater Development.  Proposed name of the new development on Schutz Lake is Lakeview Meadows.  The next step is getting approval for a preliminary plat.

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