The developer of The Barlow, a proposed mixed-use project in Sebastopol's old cannery area, is asking the city to waive $505,000 in fees in return for street improvements.
Those upgrades, which include extending McKinley Street to Morris Street, would cost $1.8 million, developer Bernard Aldridge said.
Aldridge said waiving the fees would also help close a $4 million funding gap between what he has been able to raise in bank and other financing and what the project may cost.
"We are doing what we can to make Sebastopol a better place," Aldridge said. "We are not asking for any free lunch."
Aldridge did not say what the total project cost may be.
The proposal is to revitalize the defunct Barlow apple processing plant, creating 220,000 square feet of space for artist studios, a winery and food and beverage start-ups, along with a bocce court, children's playground, public restrooms and a farmers market.
Requests for fee deferrals and waivers and help from redevelopment agencies are often made by developers, but it comes at time when Sebastopol is strapped for cash and awaiting a Supreme Court ruling on whether California can dissolve redevelopment agencies.
"I think it is reasonable that they are trying to put together a comprehensive financing program so when they start the project they can finish the project," said Sebastopol City Manager Jack Griffin. "If this doesn't go in, we are not getting those fees anyway."
In return for waiving or deferring fees, Griffin said the city could get the infrastructure improvements that it could not otherwise afford, such as the extension of McKinley Street, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, landscaping and street lights. Developers typically are required to pay for street improvements related to their projects.
The issue will be discussed by the City Council at its meeting Tuesday, which starts at 6 p.m. at the Youth Annex.
You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or bob.norberg@pressdemocrat.com
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