Talks included the introduction of a .5-millage increase, to be approved by a public vote in April, that would raise about $2.4 million each year for 10 years to buy about 20% of the parcels.
City staff estimates the entire 356 parcels would cost about $55 million to buy today, and almost twice that amount in 10 years. If the vote went through, it will be a tough task to keep owners of those parcels from inflating their prices, council members agreed.
Mayor Matt Pryor suggested going forward with such a vote, and also workingon a deal with developers to trade wetlands for other property. For example, if a residential developer has wetlands on a property to be developed, the owner could trade the property for other available propertyin the city.
A few council members wondered why a residential developer would want totrade for land that would likely have commercial zoning. The council will hold public hearings and discuss the matter more in detailin meetings through December.
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