MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Adjustments to the economic opportunity development district (EOD) for the University Town Center will move forward as new commercial developments open in the area.
The Monongalia County Commission unanimously approved the modification of boundaries of the EOD district for the heavily traveled to commercial development in Granville that allow for a new restaurant that is expected to open in less than a couple of months to have sale tax funds go directly towards the county district. This will also include the removal of parcels of undeveloped property to adhere to state legislation involving such districts.
“Enter an order by the County Commission which would modify the boundaries of the University Town Center Economic Opportunity Development District,” said Commission President Jeff Arnett ahead of approval. “To add a parcel of land to the district which is currently under development and remove three tax parcels of undeveloped land from the existing boundaries of the district.
The adjustment of the boundaries of the University Town Center EOD district will account for the addition of the new Raising Cane’s restaurant that recently completed construction towards the end of November. This is intended to have sales tax funds from the projected opening to go directly towards the county, with property taxes not included as part of the boundary adjustment. This also continues efforts to bring more sales tax dollars from the area that is a short drive away from the still developing West Ridge Business Park.
“This would include the new Raising Cane’s that is close to opening up at the UTC,” said Commissioner Sean Sikora. “This is in regards to sales tax district and has nothing to do with the property tax district.”
To account for state guidelines, the commission also approved the removal of three parcels of undeveloped property out of the University Town Center EOD district. The pieces of property removed followed requirements by state for any inclusions of EOD district properties to have similarly sized properties to be moved to parameters for such districts to be in compliance. The properties are not expected to receive any offers of development in the near future.
“So the way the legislation worked, we just have to notify the state and we also have to take the same amount of property out of the district,” said Sikora.
All three commissioners also commended crews with the West Virginia Division of Highways regarding their response to the snow removal that took place after around four inches of snow hit the area in less than five hours. While county residents and some public officials expressed frustration due to the over 70 motorists assists that took place with first responders during that period which caused delays across the Greater Morgantown area. With roads mostly cleared by 8:30 a.m. the commissioners made it a point to praise the work by DOH crews ahead of private contractors scheduled to help with work in the future starting in January.
“I delayed my entry from Cheat Lake in until about 8.30 and by the time I got through it was one completely clear lane of traffic and the other lane was partially cleared,” said Arnett. “So I do echo the sentiments that DOH did a really good job under the circumstances.”