ORDINANCE NO. 230556

title

Sponsor:  Councilmember Andrea Bough

Approving a Finding of Blight and the East Kansas City Urban Renewal Plan generally bounded by Cliff Drive on the north, I-435 on the east, Bannister Road on the south, and Troost Avenue on the west, including all those properties directly adjacent to the west side of Troost Avenue, pursuant to Land Clearance Redevelopment Authority Law.  (CD-CPC-2023-00078)

body

WHEREAS, Section 99.430, RSMo, provides that a legislative body may approve a declaration of blight and approve an urban renewal plan for the same area simultaneously; and

WHEREAS, it is desirable and in the public interest that the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of Kansas City, Missouri submit an Urban Renewal Plan for the area commonly known as the Eastside, being an area generally bound by Cliff Drive on the north, I-435 on the east, Bannister Road on the south, and Troost Avenue on the west, including all those properties directly adjacent to the west side of Troost Avenue, and

WHEREAS, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority has found said area to be blighted due to the insanitary or unsafe conditions, deterioration of site improvements, and a combination of such factors so as to constitute an economic or social liability to the public health, safety, morals or welfare; and

WHEREAS, the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority has recommended and determined that the East Kansas City Urban Renewal Plan area be eligible for tax abatement and, if necessary, the exercise of eminent domain by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority; and

WHEREAS, the City Plan Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the East Kansas City Urban Renewal Plan on June 20, 2023; and

WHEREAS, on October 6, 2016, the City did pass Second Committee Substitute for Ordinance No. 160383, as amended, which enacted guidelines on the City’s use of abated and exempted real property taxes in funding economic development projects; and

WHEREAS, Section 9 of Ordinance No. 160383, as amended, as modified by Second Committee Substitute for Ordinance 200497, as amended, provides that notwithstanding the guidelines set forth therein, the Council retains its discretion to authorize the capture and redirection, or abatement or exemption, in whole or in part, of ad valorem real property taxes to the full extent authorized by any provision of law;  and

WHEREAS, City Code § 3-622(d), provides prevailing wage requirements for certain construction projects and development plans, and further provides for the waiver of said requirements, giving particular consideration to the enumerated extraordinary qualifications; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

Section 1. That the proposed Urban Renewal area an area an area generally bound by Cliff Drive on the north, I-435 on the east, Bannister Road on the south, and Troost Avenue on the west, including all those properties directly adjacent to the west side of Troost Avenue, and more specifically described as found on Exhibit A attached hereto, is a blighted area and in need of redevelopment and rehabilitation and is appropriate for an Urban Renewal Project, and that the undertaking by the Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority of Kansas City, Missouri, of surveys and plans for an urban renewal project of a character contemplated by Section 99.430, Revised Statutes of Missouri, as amended, and the proposed urban renewal area is hereby approved.

Section 2. That the Council has duly made the findings necessary for compliance with Sections 99.320 and 99.430, Revised Statutes of Missouri, as amended.

Section 3. That the Urban Renewal Plan which is known as the East Kansas City Urban Renewal Plan, a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk with this ordinance and is incorporated herein by reference, is hereby approved including, if necessary, the power of eminent domain.

Section 4. That said Urban Renewal Plan is hereby found to be feasible and in conformance with the Master Plan for the development of the community as a whole.

Section 5. That pursuant to and in accordance with Section 9 of Ordinance No. 160383, as amended, as modified by Second Committee Substitute for Ordinance 200497, as amended, the City Council hereby authorizes the abatement of ad valorem real property taxes to the full extent authorized by Section 99.700, RSMo.

Section 6. That pursuant to and in accordance with to City Code § 3-622(d), the City Council recognizes that the projects located in the East Kansas City Urban Renewal Plan that  provide affordable housing or housing at deeper levels of affordability, as defined in Code § 74-11, support affordable housing and extremely affordable housing as defined in Code § 3-622(d)(2), connect residents living in continuously distressed census tracts to new employment opportunities as defined in Code § 3-622(d)(3), OR involve the renovation or rehabilitation of a historic structure, as provided in Code § 3-622(d)(4), are eligible for the waiver of prevailing wage requirements and confirms the LCRA’s authority to issue such a waiver for qualifying projects.

end

______________________________________________________

Approved as to form:

______________________________

Emalea Black

Associate City Attorney