Boma - workshop

I call this meeting to order. This is the July 23rd, 2026 meeting of the Board of Mayor Alderman and Municipal Planning Commission. We'll begin with roll call. Commissioner Harrison.

Present.

Commissioner Allen.

Present.

Commissioner Franks is absent. Commissioner Lindsey.

Present.

Yay. Commissioner Orr is here. Commissioner Mann.

Here.

Commissioner McLemore.

Present.

Commissioner Williamson.

Present.

Alderman Peterson.

Here.

Mary Moore, absent. Ottoman Potts, absent. Ottoman Burger, absent. Ottoman Caesar.

Present.

Yay. Ottoman Blanton, absent. Ottoman Barnhill, absent. Ottoman Brown, absent. And Ottoman Bagot is absent. All right, let's begin. Item number one, discussion of the development plan revision proposing one modification of standard performance bonds with no other changes to the layout or entitlements south of Highway 96 and west of east of Mack Hatcher. This is the West Haven staff.

Thank you. As stated, the purpose of the proposed revision is to request a modification of standard to allow surety bonds in lieu of an irrevocable standby letter of credit. There are no changes to entitlements or the layout, and staff has no concerns about this request. Thank you.

Thanks. And we have an applicant. Do we have an applicant?

Yes, we do.

All right.

Good afternoon. I'm Ron Cryer with Southern Land Company. This is Matt Shellcross. We've prepared a very minor presentation to illustrate what we're trying to do, but staff said it best. It's a simple amendment to the development plan, modifying 21.2.2 . And I'll quickly run through this and just open it up for questions. and what we're asking for is to allow us to utilize surety bonds in lieu of letters of credit, which is the current standard. I think everyone should be well aware of what it does for us, and I'll point out that Our outstanding bond status has been something we've taken very serious. So we realize the concern with the city about outstanding bonds that linger and the cost of the work that could outweigh or outpace the cost of the actual repairs or the work that would need to be done if we were not able to do it. So we've done a really good job, especially in the past three years. We've eliminated Basically about $28 million of bonds, and currently we're only left with about 21,000 of older bonds that are outstanding with the city. So anything you see in the values that we're creating at this point are brand-new sections that will be under the normal course of business, and we'll continue doing a good job to make sure those bonds are managed properly and protect the interests of all stakeholders.

All right.

So really that is what I have to say. I'm available for any questions. Okay. Thank you.

Anybody from the commission have comments, questions, concerns?

Just a point of information around this.

This is just for this property, and it doesn't set any kind of a precedent from staff's perspective on any future projects, whether it's at West Haven or anywhere else in the city.

Correct. So we actually changed the zoning ordinance last year to allow bonds, but those apply to new projects moving forward that fall under that ordinance. So we have not had any issues since we have started allowing the bonds. to come in. The issue with this particular development is that they are vested under a previous ordinance, so they don't get that flexibility in whether it's bonds or letters of credit unless they get this modification of standards request approved through Planning Commission and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Okay. Thank you. No other questions?

All right. Anybody else? I think we're good. Thank you. Any other business? No. All right. We're adjourned.