Renaissance Zone Authority - April 27, 2022 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, April 27, 2022.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Reid Middaugh, Steve Swiontek, Prakash Mathew, Dr. Dean Bresciani, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Commissioner Arlette Preston
Absent: Chad Peterson
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Minutes: Regular Meeting of July 28, 2021
Member Preston moved the minutes of the July 28, 2021 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Swiontek. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Review from Great Plains Block 3 Venture, LLC (New Construction) located at 225 4th Avenue North and 419 3rd Street North
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report for a proposal to construct a residential building, and noted staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Discussion was held on the evaluation scoring, location of parking, building height, and the east façade and sidewalk location.
Applicant Representative Deb Wendel-Daub, Kilbourne Group, spoke on behalf of the application.
Continued discussion was held on access to parking.
Member Preston moved to recommend approval to the City Commission of the application submitted by Great Plains Block 3 Venture, LLC and to grant the property tax exemption and the State tax exemptions as allowed by the Renaissance Zone law contingent upon completion of the project and verification of costs. Second by Member Mathew. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Middaugh, Mathew, Swiontek, Preston, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Peterson. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Memo from Jim Gilmour, Director of Strategic Planning and Research regarding 401 3rd Avenue North
Director of Strategic Planning and Development Jim Gilmour provided an update on the proposals received for the 401 3rd Avenue North location, and that they will be coming before the City Commission at the May 2, 2022 meeting.
Discussion was held on future applications and process regarding contingencies in agreements.
Item 4: Other Business and Public Comment
Discussion was held on the Renaissance Zone blocks, availability, and locations.
Commissioner Piepkorn suggested the possibility of considering going to the legislature to request more blocks in the upcoming year.
Item 5: Adjournment – Next Meeting: May 25, 2022
The time at adjournment was 8:25 a.m.