Renaissance Zone Authority - March 24, 2021 Minutes
The Regular Meeting of the Renaissance Zone Authority of the City of Fargo, North Dakota, was held virtually in the Commission Chambers at City Hall at 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 24, 2021.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Steve Swiontek, Prakash Mathew, Chad Peterson, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Commissioner Arlette Preston
Absent: Dr. Dean Bresciani
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approve Order of Agenda
Member Mathew moved the Order of Agenda be approved as presented. Second by Member Preston. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Minutes: Regular Meeting of December 22, 2020
Member Preston moved the minutes of the December 22, 2020 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Mathew. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Review Application from HighRoad Properties, LLC (Rehabilitation) located at 209 and 211 Northern Pacific Avenue: APPROVED
Planner Kylie Bagley presented the staff report for a proposal to rehabilitate the existing building at 209 and 211 Northern Pacific Avenue. She summarized the details of the proposal noting construction is projected to begin this spring and completed by fall. Ms. Bagley noted applicant Toby Kommer was present for any questions, and stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Addressing questions from Members Prakash and Preston, Ms. Bagley and Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug explained staff’s lower scoring for criteria number 1 upon final review of the project guidelines.
The Board further discussed the applicant’s proposed parking accommodations.
Member Preston moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by HighRoad Properties LLC, and to grant the property tax exemptions 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 Swiontek. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Mathew, Swiontek, Peterson, Preston, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Bresciani. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Review application from 501 Main Ave DevCorp LLC (New Construction) located at 501 Main Avenue: APPROVED
Ms. Bagley presented the staff report for a new construction project at 501 Main Avenue. She summarized the details of the application noting construction would begin this spring and completed in the spring of 2023. Ms. Bagley stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Applicant Matt Torgerson spoke on behalf of the proposal.
The Board further discussed the details of the project including the parking availability and capacity.
Member Peterson moved to recommend to the City Commission approval of the application submitted by 501 Main Ave DevCorp, and to grant the property tax exemptions 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 Mathew. On call of the roll Members Swiontek, Preston, Peterson, Piepkorn, Mathew, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Bresciani. The motion was declared carried.
Item 5: Other Business and Public Comments
Ms. Bagley noted staff will provide further updates at the next meeting regarding the Renaissance Zone Authority’s recent appointment to serve as the Board for the Brownfields Advisory Committee for the City of Fargo.
Item 6: Next Meeting – April 28, 2021
The time at adjournment was 8:25 a.m.