Title
A Committee to Explore the Possibility of Acquiring 110 Compromise Street - For the purpose of expressing the intent of the City of Annapolis to explore the possibility of acquiring the property located at 110 Compromise Street.
...Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 3-14 Amended
Sponsored by: Alderwoman Finlayson and Alderman Arnett
Co-Sponsored by: Alderwoman Pindell-Charles, Alderman Pfeiffer and Alderman Kirby
Referred to
Finance
Economic Matters
A RESOLUTION
FOR the purpose of expressing the intent of the City of Annapolis to explore the possibility of acquiring the property located at 110 Compromise Street.
WHEREAS, the 2009 Annapolis Comprehensive Plan set forth certain stated objectives with respect to the Annapolis City Dock including the intent to maximize pedestrian and bicycle friendly features, to create and enhance open spaces, accommodate boating access to the dock area by the public, to facilitate hosting of public events, to clear areas of parking spaces to create more public space and to assist existing Dock Street merchants by providing transportation access and availability of parking areas; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor directed the appointment in 2010 of a citizens' committee known as the City Dock Advisory Committee to advise the City as to the rejuvenation of the City Dock area; and
WHEREAS, the City Dock Advisory Committee recommended to the City Council in July 2011 certain Visions and Guiding Principles regarding the City Dock area including gradual improvement with emphasis on maintaining the integrity of the Colonial Annapolis Historic Landmark District, including historic layout, scale, vistas, high quality walkable public open spaces, toward balance in transportation on City Dock greening and sustainability of City Dock areas and encouraging public art and nurturing the uniqueness of Place; and
WHEREAS, such Visions and Guiding Principles were to form the foundation of a City Dock Master Plan drafted under the supervision of the City Dock Advisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, the City Dock Advisory Committee supervised the completion of a draft of a City Dock Master Plan and forwarded such document to the City Council in 2012; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution R-49-12 on October 28, 2013, adopting the City Dock Master Plan, as amended, as an addendum to the 2009 Annapolis Comprehensive Plan.
WHEREAS, the City Dock Master Plan calls for removal of the existing building located at 110 Compromise Street (the "Property") in order to restore the historic and scenic viewshed of the Annapolis Harbor, creation of a public promenade across the waterfront of the Property, limitations on the size and height of any buildings constructed on the property, creation of public open spaces on and adjacent to the Property, narrowing of Compromise Street and establishment of bicycle lane, and wider sidewalks and enhanced landscaping across the frontage area of the Property; and
WHEREAS, the design and construction of enhanced flood mitigation structures such as seawalls would be facilitated if the City obtained ownership and access to the Property at 110 Compromise Street, thereby connecting the properties already owned by the City (presently utilized as parking lots) known as the Donner Lot and the Newman Street Lot with the Property, and also thereby avoiding redevelopment and new building construction within the 100 year floodplain and hurricane flood zone containing the Property; and
WHEREAS, acquisition of the property would facilitate creation of additional green space, open space and space for public art; and
WHEREAS, while the City Dock Master Plan designates the Property as an "opportunity site" and a "development area" and recommends that the Property be rezoned to allow uses compatible with surrounding commercial properties and to allow uses currently allowed in a C2 zoning district, acquisition of the Property by the City would allow control by the City of all future use, development and construction on the Property.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City Council shall appoint a committee to enter discussions with the owners of the above mentioned Property, and if successful, that the City should proceed to secure the funding for such purchase.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL THAT THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL APPOINT A COMMITTEE TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF ACQUIRING THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 110 COMPROMISE STREET. THE FIVE MEMBER COMMITTEE WILL BE COMPRISED OF THE ALDERMEN REPRESENTING WARDS 1 AND 8, THE CITY MANAGER, A REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY, AND A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPER. THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE CHAIRED BY THE ALDERMAN FROM WARD 1 AND CONFIRMED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AT THE APRIL 7, 2014 MEETING. THE DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC WORKS, FINANCE, PLANNING AND ZONING, THE DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS, CITY ATTORNEY, AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL BE BROUGHT IN ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS. OTHER RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE MAY BE REQUESTED AS NEEDED BY THE COMMITTEE.
AND BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL THAT IF THE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS THAT THE PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY IS ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE AND BENEFICIAL TO THE CITY, AT A PRICE AGREED UPON WITH THE CURRENT OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY, THEN THE COMMITTEE SHALL WORK WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO PROPOSE LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE POTENTIAL TRANSACTION TO SERVE THE OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THIS RESOLUTION.
EXPLANATION
CAPITAL LETTERS indicate matter added to existing law.
[brackets] indicate matter stricken from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments.