Council to meet with developer on disputed industrial site; contract gives city option to repurchase after two years

City officials said they have been in contact with Lincoln Young, the buyer of a parcel the city sold in 2023 for industrial use, and that staff will meet with him this month to discuss whether his revised scope of work will fit local permitted uses.
City staff said Young purchased the site in August 2023 for $300,000; closing took place in December 2023. The purchase agreement contains timelines that required the buyer to begin construction within 180 days or commence operations within two years of closing. Staff told the council the two-year period is approaching and the council can either grant a 90‑ or 180‑day extension or give notice of intent to repurchase under the contract terms.
Planning and zoning staff said Young is revising his scope after testing a similar process in Alabama and that the use may not fit current permitted-use categories; staff intend to work with the applicant to adjust the use chart and pursue a planning commission recommendation and, ultimately, council action if a text amendment is needed.
Council members noted the parcel is not an easy industrial site and that repurchasing and reselling could be difficult. Staff will meet with the developer and return to council with a recommendation about whether to extend the performance period or initiate the contract buyback process.