East High Street in downtown Toledo on Friday, April 30, 2016. Chronicle/John Speer

Toledo city council members continued the discussion regarding the possible rezoning of downtown buildings from commercial to residential property during the Monday, April 26, council meeting. Council members Travis Mullen and Steve Vesely comprise the housing committee that put together a proposed plan with guidelines and standards for the rezoning process.

Discussion began with a question from councilman Steve Vesely, “Are we going to allow the whole thing to be apartments or are we going to go with the business in the front and residential in the back?” There was some discussion in previous council meetings about allowing only a certain percentage to be used for residential on the ground level.

The answer to Vesely’s question according to city attorney Mike Marquess is that the entire ground level would be able to be used as apartments.

“One thing I sure wouldn’t like is a solid black door, to me that is just a symbol of death,” said Mayor Dave Svoboda. Svoboda was referring to the requirement that all rezoned doors must be black to keep continuity in the downtown.

Councilman Joe Boll raised concerns over the cost of hiring a structural engineer to inspect each building which is a requirement placed in the proposal by Mullen and Vesely.

Tama resident Byron Witt who owns a building in downtown Toledo was on hand to share his opinions. Witt informed the council that the City of Tama has hired structural engineers in the past for similar inspections, but that such inspections are not a requirement. Witt noted that the Hardon family is doing a lot of work in the downtown Tama area to improve the condition of buildings.

The collapse of the building at 119 W. High Street that occurred on September 1, 2014 was mentioned during the discussion. “It’s a lot cheaper for the City to pay the cost up front (for an engineer) than pay for the cleanup,” said Marquess.

“We met with a member of the Hardon family and they said this is the only way they would do this if they were (in the same situation),” said Mullen.

While no action was taken, the council requested proposal served as a jumping off point in the larger conversation. It was discussed to have a special workshop to go over the plans for downtown zoning. Council set a tentative date for May 16.

It is expected the date will be announced ta the regular meeting of the council on May 9.

SKIP

Linda Rosenberger from Tama County Public Health was present to discuss an upcoming event that Tama County Skip (Supporting Kids in Prevention) is sponsoring. SKIP works to provide activities and initiatives to strengthen families to help prevent child abuse. Every five years a needs assessment is conducted. Tama County rates very high in drunk driving motor vehicle accidents, more than double the state average. SKIP will be sponsoring a workshop and is inviting council as community leaders to listen to what we can do to help counteract the bad choices kids makes. Meal and daycare will be provided.

Auditor Request for Proposal Approval

Bowman and Miller proposed $15,000 for 2016 with a slight increase each year for a three-year contract. “They are very good. I’ve called them a number of times and they have answered my questions,” said City Clerk Kim McAdoo. Joe Boll motioned to approve auditor request, Travis Mullen seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Zoning change request

A wood working shop had been built at 215 S West St. and is zoned residential. “I think what’s going on is someone wants to buy that building and put a business in it,” said Public Works Director Kendall Jordan. The interested buyer wants it rezoned before they purchase the building. A motion was made to move this decision to the Planning and Zoning Committee and passed unanimously.

A the rend of he regular meeting went into a closed session for possible litigation