MONROE - After failing to annex roughly 98 acres of land north of the city along County N and Wisconsin 81 during a meeting in which just two-thirds of its members were present, Monroe Common Council reconsidered and approved the measure Tuesday.
On Sept. 5, the nine-person council was missing three aldermen. To annex the property, which would expand city limits and allow for the development of a tax increment district, a vote of two-thirds of the full governing body was needed. After "no" votes from Aldermen Michael Boyce and Ron Marsh, the measure failed.
Boyce, who was absent from the meeting Tuesday, has strongly opposed the creation of TIF districts to aid development on city land. Because TID 9 was also planned for the property, he said he could not support annexation.
Aldermen Brooke Bauman, Tom Miller, Chris Beer, Jeff Newcomer, Charles Koch, Rob Schilt and Richard Thoman voted for the annexation. Each also voted in favor of the creation of TID 9. Marsh voted against both measures.
The purchase agreement for the land, which would allow the city to procure the area for about $1.85 million, needs to be closed by Oct. 31.
A proposed project plan outlines the 98 acres, commonly referred to as the Dolan Property, as an opportunity for more businesses in Monroe. It estimates the area to be 41 percent retail-based while new residential construction would be limited to 35 percent of the land.
With a density of at least three housing units per acre required, the plan is conducive to multi-family housing, City Administrator Phil Rath said.
Newcomer questioned whether any new development would require incentive.
"There is usually a tax credit program or some kind of way to offset construction costs," Rath said.
He added that creating the district also aids the city in its initial costs to make the area "shovel-ready," or to outline the space with infrastructure such as sewers and roadways.
Rath informed council members that through the Green County Development Corporation he has been made aware of interested parties looking to develop in Monroe, like the University of Wisconsin System, but until now there was no area for them to consider.
TID 9 will officially begin Jan. 1. It will still require approval from the Joint Review Board.
On Sept. 5, the nine-person council was missing three aldermen. To annex the property, which would expand city limits and allow for the development of a tax increment district, a vote of two-thirds of the full governing body was needed. After "no" votes from Aldermen Michael Boyce and Ron Marsh, the measure failed.
Boyce, who was absent from the meeting Tuesday, has strongly opposed the creation of TIF districts to aid development on city land. Because TID 9 was also planned for the property, he said he could not support annexation.
Aldermen Brooke Bauman, Tom Miller, Chris Beer, Jeff Newcomer, Charles Koch, Rob Schilt and Richard Thoman voted for the annexation. Each also voted in favor of the creation of TID 9. Marsh voted against both measures.
The purchase agreement for the land, which would allow the city to procure the area for about $1.85 million, needs to be closed by Oct. 31.
A proposed project plan outlines the 98 acres, commonly referred to as the Dolan Property, as an opportunity for more businesses in Monroe. It estimates the area to be 41 percent retail-based while new residential construction would be limited to 35 percent of the land.
With a density of at least three housing units per acre required, the plan is conducive to multi-family housing, City Administrator Phil Rath said.
Newcomer questioned whether any new development would require incentive.
"There is usually a tax credit program or some kind of way to offset construction costs," Rath said.
He added that creating the district also aids the city in its initial costs to make the area "shovel-ready," or to outline the space with infrastructure such as sewers and roadways.
Rath informed council members that through the Green County Development Corporation he has been made aware of interested parties looking to develop in Monroe, like the University of Wisconsin System, but until now there was no area for them to consider.
TID 9 will officially begin Jan. 1. It will still require approval from the Joint Review Board.