CIC tables sale of parcel sliver at 119 Church Street after storm-sewer concerns

The St. Bernard Community Improvement Corporation voted to go into executive session to discuss property sale matters and later returned to public session to discuss a recent buyer request concerning 119 Church Street.

Board members described a request from a buyer of 119 Church Street seeking to purchase a narrow sliver of CIC-owned land adjacent to a curb cut so the buyer could construct a driveway and off-street parking. A relocation specialist and board members said the parcel is complicated by drainage infrastructure.

"There is a massive storm sewer that also goes through that property, so I think we probably need to verify what could be done with that before we start selling off slivers," the chair said, urging research into buildability and constraints.

Members discussed that some parcels have frontage restrictions or are intended to be part of a master redevelopment plan for Church Street and the shopping-center area. Several members cautioned that selling small pieces piecemeal could jeopardize a coordinated redevelopment effort and recommended revisiting requests only after staff confirms buildable area, storm-drain impacts and possible county or other jurisdictional constraints.

The board did not approve any sale of 119 Church Street or of parcel slivers at the meeting; instead it agreed to research the storm-sewer issue, clarify property ownership and addresses, and consider a comprehensive development plan before making disposals. The board asked staff to update internal property lists and the CIC website to distinguish parcels that are actively for sale from those reserved for future development.

The executive-session vote to meet privately on property sale matters passed by voice vote and the board returned to public session to continue discussion and take other votes. Further decisions on property sales will await staff follow-up and a future meeting.