City considering possible changes to downtown TIF eligible projects
Belfast — The city is looking at possible amendments to its development plan to identify potential projects eligible for funding from the downtown-waterfront Tax Increment Financing district.
Economic Development Director Thomas Kittredge explained at the Feb. 19 City Council meeting that the city could revise the list of potential projects that would be eligible for funding using revenue from the Downtown Waterfront TIF District.
Kittredge said the projects included in the list are ones that could be completed within the next 25 years. He also noted that the projects would all be eligible for funding using TIF revenue, as far as he knew.
A copy of the proposed projects eligible for funding can be found at cityofbelfast.org/archives/38/February%2019,%202013.pdf on page 36.
Kittredge said the goal is to have the application completed by March 7 for public review and comment before final approval is given on March 19. The application would then be submitted to the state following the March 19 vote.
Councilor Nancy Hamilton asked for clarification to ensure that the city wouldn’t be required to complete all the projects on the list. Kittredge explained that including projects on the list only makes them eligible for funding — it does not mean the city is obligated to complete them.
City Manager Joseph Slocum further explained that the primary reason for amending the city’s downtown TIF district application is due to the increased revenue generated by the construction of Front Street Shipyard’s buildings. Prior to that, the district brought in very little revenue.
“We’re just updating how the money could be spent,” Slocum said.
Councilors chose to cease further discussion and revisit the list during their next scheduled meeting on March 5.
Republican Journal reporter Ben Holbrook can be reached at 338-3333 or at bholbrook@courierpublicationsllc.com.
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PUT SEAVIEW TERRACE ON THE NORTHPORT AVE TIF- SAVE US.
Clearly, the City using Inverse Condemnation On Seaview Terrace and could be you next. The City has been using our private property as a free storm water sewer for the sites of CASS, MidCoast Mental Health, Tall Pines Nursing, VOA, National Guard, MMP, Prays Homes, Rte 1 No and South from Bypass to National Guard ( possibly more areas- I have had to track this myself - for 2 years the City has kicked me this survivor Mom to the bone).
Over a year ago Kittredge began planting the seed to take the Northport TIF for downtown "wants". I quickly asked for Seaview Terrace to be included to the Northport Ave TIF via the new WCGH Annex building improvements (they were expanding the Downtown TIF to the Waterfall Arts, also non-profit but capturing improvements). Getting Seaview into the TIF would open up grants and funding to build sewers to save the flood plain, flood zone being destroyed and flooded by the City. They are vowed to protect us- instead they are drowning us. Here is a portion from the City's Web Site Ordinance that they are corruptly violating
Floodplain and floodprone area mean any land area susceptible to being inundated by water from any source (see definition of "flood" and "flooding").
Floodplain management means the operation of an overall program of corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damage, including but not limited to emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and floodplain management regulations.
Floodplain management regulations means zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, health regulations, special purpose ordinances, such as a floodplain ordinance, grading ordinance, and erosion control ordinance, and other applications of police power. The term describes such state or local regulations, or any combination thereof, which provide standards for the purpose of flood damage prevention and reduction.
Floodproofing means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures which reduce or eliminate flood damage to real estate or improved real property, water and sanitary facilities, structures and their contents.
The City is refusing to put Seaview into the TIF and they are also allowing AND ENCOURAGING site violations of Zoning Conditions Approval for CASS, Annex, etc. They are to remove plowed snow. The City knows they are not, knows that this is one of the biggest flooding to Seaview Terrace and lied to us. Blaming it on nature, natural runoff, the City is not responsible in any way...all lies.
This spring meltdown in 2009 and 2011nearly wiped us out and destroyed MANY properties. They are refusing to provide those public documents and violating MFOIA. City Manager and Council attempting to intimidate with police presence at open to the public and slander. Bill Kelly, City Attorney sending me letters that are of personal attacks and brazen government corruption. See my blog www.belfastbullies.blogspot.com.