An urban reserves agreement will apparently have to wait until 2011.
In an informal poll at Tuesday afternoon’s worksession, the Metro Council said it was uncomfortable taking a vote on a proposal for urban reserves at its final 2010 meeting.
Councilors said they wanted to be sure the public would have a chance to offer an informed opinion on any proposal that could come before the council at its Thursday meeting, the last scheduled meeting of the year.
“We have not had an opportunity to have public process,” said Council President Carlotta Collette.
In a thumbs-up vote, councilors said they do not want to have an agenda item on reserves at Thursday’s meeting.
The council also discussed its response to Washington County’s latest proposal, which calls for a new urban reserve between U.S. 26 and West Union Road, west of Helvetia Road. It’s a scaled back version of an initial proposal last week from Washington County Chair Tom Brian and Chair-elect Andy Duyck.
Councilors seemed to feel that the council would support a plan that created no new urban reserves, and eliminated the proposed urban reserve north of Cornelius.
“Take out Cornelius and we’re there,” Collette said. “That would be the no-brainer, simplest way to do this. Obviously, they’re not really receptive to that.”
Councilor Carl Hosticka, who represents southern Washington County, said that would get the ball rolling on a conversation about where the boards would end up.
“That proposal would get a majority vote on this council. It would probably get a unanimous vote on this council,” he said. “At least they’re clear that that’s how we feel about the issue.”
The Washington County Commission is set to vote on its own reserves proposal tonight.