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No street deal between city, housing developers

Equality and fairness. That's what South Roosevelt property owners want.

Roger Schwab, a resident on South Roosevelt Street, wants Marion City Council to treat all residents and streets equally.

That was his request Monday when the council held a public hearing regarding improvements to Country Club Heights.

Schwab said residents on South Roosevelt also are wanting a new street and are offering one foot of their properties to the city. In return Roosevelt property owners want a concrete street and gutter.

"We want fairness across the board," Schwab said.

"It's not fair for taxpayers to have to pay for somebody else's business deals. If they didn't make enough money, I'm sorry. If they didn't sell the lots for enough money, I'm sorry," he said. "If one investor fails, can he come back to the city and ask to be bailed out?"

Schwab was referring to a request made by developer Doug Sharp and attorney Chris Costello for the city to pay for Country Club Drive, the street that connects County Club Heights Addition with access streets.

Schwab then showed a plat that indicated Country Club Drive was actually a private drive, not a dedicated street.

Marjory Lundy, owner of Lot 7 at Country Club Heights which is a corner lot with frontage property on Country Club Drive and Fairway Drive, said she would like to deed her property along Country Club Drive to the city just like John Fredrickson had done.

"If we accept your half of the street, then the city could leave it as a graveled road since the city owns both sides of the street," Collett said. "The city promised a street to the developer and you have one."

Mayor Mary Olson said she also was of the same opinion.

Later in the meeting, the council approved the special assessment levy for the streets which included $20,000 for the portion that adjoins city-owned property. The assessment will charge property owners as the original petition was intended.

Baldwin commented that he and Costello had met but Baldwin wasn't sure what the council wanted so he told Costello to make an offer.

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