Concerns voiced about Quincy retail moratorium

Public hearing rescheduled for April 15

By Candice Boutilier

Herald staff writer

QUINCY - Quincy City Council rescheduled the public hearing concerning the retail moratorium for the next council meeting.

The retail moratorium was reset at City Attorney Allan Galbraith's request because he was unable to attend the meeting, City Administrator Tim Snead said.

The city council and staff entered into a retail moratorium last year prohibiting the construction of large scale retail buildings until an ordinance was drafted and approved creating requirements for construction. The requirements are to encourage large scale retail buildings to look a certain way and to prevent them from being unusable if they are abandoned by the business.

Two people spoke of their concerns about the retail moratorium.

Citizen Gail Parke lives on K Street near a partially constructed home he says should be condemned. He questioned how the city will be able to manage large scale retail buildings if they are unable to make progress with a partially constructed home.

He said for the past two years the partially framed house sits uncompleted and he's contacted several city departments to do something to urge the developer to finish the house or to demolish it.

Mayor Pro-tem Paul Worley said he would pass along Parke's concerns to Mayor Jim Hemberry who was absent from the meeting.

Councilmember Scott Lybbert said the city is aware of the house and it was discussed at committee meetings.

Parke also said he hopes the retail moratorium will not discourage businesses from entering the city and the regulations should be enforceable and easy to live with. There are several businesses the city needs along with price and customer service competition.

Building Inspector/Code Enforcement Officer Brock Laughlin said the large scale retail ordinance is wonderful and does not discourage businesses from entering the city. Without providing details, he said it is protection for the city and citizens, reduces price gouging and relieves storm water issues.

Lybbert said an example of how the ordinance works is it requires the incoming business owner to conduct an impact study concerning the amount of traffic it could attract. If it attracts a high volume of traffic, the business owner might be required to construct street upgrades and sidewalks.

Citizen Kaye Baumgartner said the council needs to consider what they want the city to look like as more businesses move in. She asked if there is a certain "flavor" the city wants or do they want to be another generic rural town.

Baumgartner suggested incorporating environmentally sound projects encouraging new businesses to use local materials for construction.

City Administrator Tim Snead questioned if she was thinking about something similar to the Leavenworth, Wash., facade.

Baumgartner said yes, but with an agricultural theme preserving the heritage of Quincy.

"I believe we need to retain our history," Lybbert said.

He said there appears to be a grassroots movement taking place to retain their heritage by displaying antiques and historical pictures around town. He suggested murals depicting agriculture would be a good idea and said he would join in on the effort but doesn't want to see covenants in place requiring people to take part.

Lybbert suggested Baumgartner work with the city Recreation and Arts Commission to continue the effort.

The public hearing and consideration of the ordinance is rescheduled for April 15 at 7 p.m. in the city council chambers.