ANOTHER STEP TOWARD SUBDIVISION IN NEILLSVILLE
Wednesday, October 26th, 2005 -- 8:43 AM
The Neillsville Planning and Economic Development Commissions Tuesday night unanimously threw their support behind a proposal that would have the city absorbing some of the infrastructure costs for a proposed residential subdivision. Boon Construction has approached the city about developing a 24-lot subdivision in the southeast corner of the city. If the commissions? recommendation is accepted at a council meeting tonight, the city would cover $118,900 of the initial $273,951 sewer, water and street construction costs. The city would recover half, or $59,450, of their costs through special assessments as the lots are sold. The remaining $59,450 would be absorbed by the City. Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy explained on the Mayor?s Office program this morning that it remains unclear if this money will be levied, or will come from existing funds. She said the cost is justified by what will likely be an increased tax base?"It's like a partnership," explained Murphy. "We're partnering up to get some building lots started in the city. We have to. There are people looking for lots to build houses in the city limits, and we don't have to any lots to offer them."
And Murphy said she was confident the City is in good enough financial shape to offer a similar incentive to the owners of the old Sunburst property, who have shown an interest in developing a subdivision there.
"No one has come forward with anything. We've been in touch with (the owner). We told him we've changed our ordinance. If he brings his proposal in, we'll sit down and see what we can do," Murphy says.
The Commissions also unanimously decided to renew their contract with 3-D Strategies. The Eau Claire firm was brought onboard to market the city to prospective businesses a couple years ago when it looked like the Fleetguard-Nelson West Plant was going to close.
The 3-D strategies contract will cost the city $10,000 for 2006.
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