LIVE BLOG: MOBILITY FEE MORATORIUM: Rules&Finance Committee

[JeffreyS]

7-11 announced the growth before the moratorium talk began.

[Cheshire Cat]

This was to be counted upon.  As soon as 7-11 came into the anti moratorium discussion, those who were for it would have made sure to get a statement for their side as well as remind them of potential further savings for their development in the future.  Expected counteraction.  Lot's of shoulder rubbing in this town.

Opponents of this bill need to stay on your toes.  If you hear proponents make claims that are not factual or misleading, do not hesitate to send a message via legislative services to a council member who also opposes with corrected info or ask to speak to them briefly in the green room so you can give them accurate facts.   

[Cheshire Cat]

Lake and others, if Wyman's presentation sheet is flawed, make sure the council is made aware of this!  Point it out to media as well as folks like Joost via a message through their aide or legislative services.  Don't let bad facts go unanswered if you can help it.

[TheCat]

Doug Skyles is up:

* His work is directly impacted by the waiver.
* He thinks that the fee should remain in place.
* Total of 16 million from Fair Share went to capital improvements. About 3.3 million a year.
* Because we removed fair share our funds are literally disappearing to fund projects.
* Addresses property tax argument by the pro moratorium. The other side can't use that as an argument, he says, because as we develop required city cost of those developments are barely covered by the property tax.
* Why are encouraging even more development? Builders are saying increase supply. So, value of properties will invariably go down.
* banks understand to not release all of their "shadow" inventory.
* St. John's county has been charging an impact fee. At least, moratorium should help us catch us up to them. St. John's county is getting investment because they focus on quality of life.
* We cannot ignore the fact we are one of the most dangerous cities in the city.
* Conclusion: we need to collect this fee.

Best presentation so far.

[thelakelander]

Do we really believe 7-Eleven won't come to Jax because of a transportation impact fee?  I find that hard to believe that a company having $77 billion in sales last year can afford to open everywhere else expect Jacksonville. Let's get real.

7-Eleven, Inc. Plans Aggressive Expansion

DALLAS â€" (May 15, 2009) â€" 7-Eleven, Inc. is focused on growing its store base to expand its convenience offering in the U.S. and Canada.

While many retailers are contracting or limiting expansion, 7-Eleven is aggressively growing and expects to add more than 200 new stores this year. Plans call for the company to accelerate store development over the next several years through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program.

7-Eleven has a multi-pronged approach to growth that includes in-line, end-cap space in shopping centers, freestanding stores, urban locations in light industrial sites, city residential areas and suburbia.       

The company, which operates and franchises more than 6,200 stores in the U.S. and Canada, opened 170 stores in 2008.

“7-Eleven is looking to partner with property owners on new site development to determine how both parties can succeed for the long term and survive or even thrive in these difficult market conditions,” said Dan Porter, 7-Eleven’s vice president of real estate. “The company is investment grade and, therefore, an attractive tenant for landlords.”

7-Eleven’s latest growth vehicle is its Business Conversion Program, where the company looks for existing independent retail store operators who want to convert to the national chain and become a part of 7-Eleven’s franchise system.

The convenience chain leader invests an average of $280,000 into these conversions.  If the existing owner holds the lease or owns the building, they retain the responsibility for the real estate.  There are now 110 outlets that have been converted to 7-Eleven stores since the program started in 2006.

Said Porter, “7-Eleven’s system is more than just a trademark:  it’s the entire brand with a complete turn-key franchise system, including our proprietary retail information system, equipment, training, consulting support, a distribution network with daily delivery of fresh-foods, advertising, bookkeeping, payroll preparation, vendor payments and quarterly audits.”

Typical 7-Eleven stores have 1,800 to 2,200 square feet of selling space within densely inhabited areas that have strong daytime traffic.  The company also wants to be part of re-gentrification in its growth markets.

Among 7-Eleven’s growth markets are: New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Washington, D.C.; Tidewater, Va.; and Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City, the San Francisco Bay area, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.

“7-Eleven is expanding amid the gloom of retail retrenching,” said Porter. “There is opportunity for our company to fill the void at once vibrant locations that are going vacant.   We are flexible in that we will buy a site and remodel, sign 10-year shopping center, building or ground leases with options to renew or purchase a site at the right location and build a ground-up store.”

http://corp.7-eleven.com/Newsroom/2009NewsReleases/7ElevenIncPlansAggressiveExpansion/tabid/307/Default.aspx

[Cheshire Cat]

Good stuff!  Fact's and reasonable explanations in the face of unproven promises is always a good thing.

[thelakelander]

Councilman Clark is closing out the comments by refuting Doug's presentation. Clark's throwing downtown under the bus in favor of allowing more sprawl growth at the expense of taxpayers.

[TheCat]

Clark is speaking, bill sponsor:

* he's had so many people contact him. One real estate agent said, "this is exactly what we need."
* he will choose the guy who hammers nails over the guy who rides a bike.
* it's about getting government out of the way.

[Cheshire Cat]

Ennis, we know 7-11 would come here regardless. They will follow the market.  This is one of those lets pretend the fee stands in the way of development levers being used to sway opinions on council.  Pretty transparent.

[Bill Hoff]

Councilman Clark stated that Downtown's main problems are not enough parking and difficultly getting in & out.

That if the Council doesn't approve the moratorium, development in Jacksonville is dead.

And, of course, that infill shouldn't be incentivized over brand new development.

[TheCat]

Crescembeni:

Calls up Doug and the other presenter (for the moratorium). asks who is working for who?

Doug says No one. The other says "Fairfield residential."

[Cheshire Cat]

And who makes a closing statement against Clark's claims?  Where is Joost?

[thelakelander]

Doug Skiles is representing himself. Mr. Duggan is a lobbyist on the clock for Fairfield Residential. He mentioned that he filed the proper paperwork.

[Cheshire Cat]

Exactly Crescimbini!  Who else on Council is going to challenge Clark's words and his special interest bill?

[thelakelander]

And who makes a closing statement against Clark's claims?  Where is Joost?

No one. I don't think Joost is present.