"Thomas Jefferson said a democracy is dependent on an informed citizenry. I don't care whether it sounds corny or not. It's the truth." -Jim Lehrer
Carefree Truth
Issue #1105, October 23, 2024
Necessity of the Carefree Mayor and Town Council to Fulfill their Commitments To Carefree Residents to make their Final Review and Potential Approval of the Tax Incentive Agreement for “Carefree Quarter” in the November Council Meeting
I fully support the comments you expressed in Carefree Truth dated October 11, 2024, calling for the Town Council to quickly finalize their review and potentially approve the Tax Incentive Agreement for Carefree Quarter in the upcoming November Council Meeting. That was the course of action unanimously agreed to by the Mayor and Town Council in the October Council Meeting. The commitment was made by all of them to Carefree residents to quickly move their final review of this quality development forward through the remaining review and approval process, rather than permitting delays to increase the risk that it would not be feasible for the developer at some future date.
In addition to fulfilling the commitments made to Carefree residents, addressing this urgent matter in the November Council meeting would enable the Council to benefit from the knowledge and perspective of the currently seated Council members. The current Council members have spent years diligently working with the Carefree Staff to bring this potential development forward. Based upon the statements of the developer, any delay, such as postponing the final review and approval vote until the December Council meeting when three new Council members not intimately familiar with this project would be seated, could lead to extended delays as the new Council members sought to familiarize themselves with the project. This could well generate additional delays, which could substantially increase the risk of the project not moving ahead at all.
Developing this remaining commercial corner in Carefree in the quality manner proposed by the developer for “Carefree Quarter” is important to the future of Carefree. “Carefree Quarter” is within the applicable Zoning and development requirements for that property, takes steps to protect nearby residents, and is slated to incorporate quality restaurants and retailers. Delays could lead to prospective tenants redirecting their stores to the property directly across the street in Cave Creek, and the Town Staff estimates that it might take six or more years to find a replacement developer should the current developer withdraw from the project.
For these reasons, I believe that the Mayor and Town Council fulfilling their commitment to address the few remaining matters in the November Council meeting and to vote upon the matter are in the best interests of Carefree residents.
Les Peterson
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Please support our Carefree merchants.
In addition to fulfilling the commitments made to Carefree residents, addressing this urgent matter in the November Council meeting would enable the Council to benefit from the knowledge and perspective of the currently seated Council members. The current Council members have spent years diligently working with the Carefree Staff to bring this potential development forward. Based upon the statements of the developer, any delay, such as postponing the final review and approval vote until the December Council meeting when three new Council members not intimately familiar with this project would be seated, could lead to extended delays as the new Council members sought to familiarize themselves with the project. This could well generate additional delays, which could substantially increase the risk of the project not moving ahead at all.
Developing this remaining commercial corner in Carefree in the quality manner proposed by the developer for “Carefree Quarter” is important to the future of Carefree. “Carefree Quarter” is within the applicable Zoning and development requirements for that property, takes steps to protect nearby residents, and is slated to incorporate quality restaurants and retailers. Delays could lead to prospective tenants redirecting their stores to the property directly across the street in Cave Creek, and the Town Staff estimates that it might take six or more years to find a replacement developer should the current developer withdraw from the project.
For these reasons, I believe that the Mayor and Town Council fulfilling their commitment to address the few remaining matters in the November Council meeting and to vote upon the matter are in the best interests of Carefree residents.
Les Peterson
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list. Please support our Carefree merchants.