Renaissance Zone Authority - April 22, 2020
The Regular Meeting of the Renaissance Zone Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held virtually at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2020.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Dr. Dean Bresciani, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Prakash Mathew, Commissioner Tony Grindberg, Cari Luchau, Deb Mathern, Steve Swiontek, Chad Peterson
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
This item was heard after Item 2.
Chair Mathern moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of October 23, 2019
Member Bresciani moved the minutes of the October 23, 2019 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Swiontek. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Review Application from Epic Gateway North Real Estate Holdings, LLC (New Construction) located at 300 Main Avenue North: APPROVED
Planner Kylie Bagley presented the staff report for a new construction project at 300 Main Avenue noting that the project scored a 98/100 and staff is recommending approval.
Member Luchau present.
Applicant Brian Kounovsky spoke on behalf of the application.
Discussion was held on the average cost per square foot for new construction projects in the Fargo area.
Member Grindberg noted support of this project and that the location of it serves as a gateway into the City.
Further discussion continued on the amount of underground and surface parking, and communications with neighboring properties. Mr. Kounovsky noted he has received positive feedback on the project.
Member Bresciani moved to recommend approval to the Fargo City Commission to approve the application submitted by Epic Gateway North Real Estate Holdings, LLC and to grant the property tax and the State income tax exemptions as allowed by the North Dakota Renaissance Zone law contingent upon completion of the project and verification of costs. Second by Member Luchau. On call of the roll Members Luchau, Mathew, Swiontek, Peterson, Grindberg, Bresciani, Mathern, and Piepkorn voted aye. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Other Business and Public Comments
Ms. Bagley noted the look of the staff report for today’s meeting was updated to reflect the adapted changes to the Renaissance Zone Plan.
Item 5: Next Meeting – May 27, 2020
The time at adjournment was 8:14 a.m.