The future of a former Columbia Gas property on East State Street was addressed at Athens City Council on Monday night, as well as a comprehensive plan to create historic districts in the city.
What could be one of the last major developments on the East side of Athens would begin with the execution of a long-standing plan to annex the former Columbia Gas holding to Athens.
“The property is ideal for retail, commercial or industrial development,” Athens City Planner Paul Logue said, but he added that he “would not advocate further annexation to the east.”
Further development to the east is limited by a floodplain that would increase the costs of the creation of new properties, Logue said.
The property has yet to be annexed due to different tax agreements between the city and present property owners.
Councilwoman Chris Fahl, D-4th Ward, said she was concerned with the precedent the current tax agreement could set.
“They’ve negotiated a longer sharing program and it does set up a precedent for the city to be under riding the township with taxes,” Fahl said.
Aside from the concerns with the current tax proposals, council members favored the annexation and the possible revenue stream it could create for the city in taxes.
Logue also presented a plan to protect historic properties through local ordinances.
“During the time I’ve been in Athens, I’ve struggled with that we don’t have any historic preservation legislation,” Logue said.
The plan creates a Historical Preservation district and a committee to create proposals for City Council of possible historical sites to be preserved. The committee would be picked by the mayor and certified by the council and members would be diverse, with expertise in local history, preservation and construction, Logue said.
“I’d like to give my full-hearted support to this,” said Fahl, whose support was embraced by other council members.
Similar committees have been formed in Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati and Cleveland.
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