HOBART | The possible limitation of some types of tax abatements is an issue City Councilman Brian Rosenbaum said he's not going to ignore.

The 3rd District councilman once again broached the controversial topic at a recent City Council meeting asking other officials to discuss the issue openly.

"Should we freeze residential tax abatement?" he asked fellow council members, adding, "Are there areas we want to re-evaluate?"

City Councilwoman Sherryl Doerr said she'd like to see restrictions placed on at least some residential tax abatements, especially on larger subdivisions.

"Most people don't object to commercial tax abatements," she said.

Rosenbaum said the public was loud and clear in its message at a City Council meeting a month ago in opposition to residential tax abatements.

Mayor Linda Buzinec cast the deciding vote to grant residential tax abatement to about half of the proposed Cressmoor Estates subdivision after the City Council deadlocked following a 2-1/2 hour discussion.

Buzinec's vote came after the council deadlocked twice: first to deny tax abatement for the entire 448-unit subdivision, and then on offering tax abatement to only the 235 single-family homes in the development.

About 100 people packed council chambers, and several hundred more filled the vestibule, the stairwells and spilled onto Main Street. A majority of the crowd was against tax abatement, and many booed and jeered as the votes were cast.

City Councilman Matt Claussen suggests council members sit down with a map and perhaps designate certain areas for tax abatements.

He also suggested discussing the issue with business owners.

Buzinec said the City Council always has the ultimate say on tax abatements and can just say no instead of setting any strict limitations.

"I just wanted to bring this up for discussion," Rosenbaum said, having the last word on the issue.