Renaissance Zone Authority - June 25, 2019 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Renaissance Zone Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2019.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Dr. Dean Bresciani, Bruce Furness, Cari Luchau, Deb Mathern, Chad Peterson
Absent: Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Commissioner Tony Grindberg, Steve Swiontek
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Furness moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Peterson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of June 27, 2018
Member Bresciani moved the minutes of the June 27, 2018 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Peterson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Review Request from LHS Investment LLC to add One Additional Block: APPROVED
Planner Kylie Bagley briefly reviewed the request to add one additional block to the City’s current Renaissance Zone area of 47 blocks. She noted the maximum number of blocks allowed by the State of North Dakota is 49 blocks, and if this request is approved the total would increase to 48 blocks. Ms. Bagley stated staff is recommending approval of this request.
Board discussion clarified that the Renaissance Zone guidelines state “continuous” blocks when determining the Renaissance Zone area; however, the City is allowed to add one satellite block and this request meets that definition.
Applicant Jesse Craig spoke on behalf of the application.
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield addressed Member Peterson’s question referring to the Board’s past discussion on a possible satellite block in south Fargo. She explained that according to the Fargo Renaissance Zone Development Plan, requests are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Ms. Crutchfield stated that staff did reach out to properties for feedback on their interest in this program, and Mr. Craig was the first to respond with his request.
Member Furness moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by LHS Investments LLC, to add one additional Renaissance Zone block to the City of Fargo Renaissance Zone Plan. Second by Member Luchau. On call of the roll Members Luchau, Furness, Peterson, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Grindberg, Piepkorn, and Swiontek. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Review Request from 201 Hospitality LLC to add one Additional Block: APPROVED
Kylie Bagley presented the request to add one additional block to the City’s current Renaissance Zone. She noted the request is to remodel the existing downtown Radisson Hotel, and explained this block contains government-owned buildings and is considered a half block according to the state’s guidelines. Ms. Bagley stated staff is recommending approval of this request, which would bring the total number of blocks to 48 1/2.
The Board further discussed the request.
Member Bresciani moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by 201 Hospitality LLC, to add an additional half block to the City of Fargo Renaissance Zone Plan. Second by Member Peterson. On call of the roll Members Luchau, Peterson, Furness, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Members Grindberg, Piepkorn, and Swiontek. The motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Discuss Renaissance Development Plan Update
Planning Director Nicole Crutchfield referred to packet information summarizing the process staff followed for the 2014 plan update. She stated the same process will be followed and staff is bringing this to the Board today for discussion. Ms. Crutchfield briefly reviewed the process and stated staff will be assessing the status of existing projects on a block-by-block basis, reaching out to area property owners for their input, and bringing staff’s proposals before the Board for discussion and recommendations.
The Board further discussed the process confirming that all projects that have been approved, including those where no active project has started, will be part of the assessment process.
Item 6: Other Business
Director of Strategic Planning and Research Jim Gilmour submitted a document to the Board for a Request for Development Proposals for City-owned property at 1-2nd Street South. He noted the property is within the Renaissance Zone Boundary and he is bringing this item before the Board today for discussion. Mr. Gilmour stated proposals are due next month and will be presented at the next Renaissance Zone Authority meeting.
Item 7: Next Meeting – March 27, 2019
The time at adjournment was at 8:25 a.m.