Renaissance Zone Authority - April 26, 2023 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 26, 2023.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Reid Middaugh, Prakash Mathew, Chad Peterson, Dr. Dean Bresciani (via conference call), Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Commissioner Arlette Preston
Absent: Steve Swiontek
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Minutes: Regular Meeting of February 22, 2023
Member Piepkorn moved the minutes of the February 22, 2023 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Bresciani. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Review of application from 501 Main Ave DevCorp, LLC 322-F (New Construction) located at 501 Main Avenue: APPROVED
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report for a new construction project at 501 Main Avenue. Ms. Elshaug noted that a previous application was submitted for this site, however this is a different project and new application. She stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Ms. Elshaug stated the application does not include floors 1 and 2, as the prospective tenant for those floors is not intending to apply for Renaissance Zone benefits.
Discussion was held on the score of the project and the parking agreement.
Director of Strategic Planning and Development Jim Gilmour spoke on the background and history of the site and this project. He provided an overview of the evolution of the parking arrangement with Bell Bank.
Applicant representative Matt Torgeson, JLG Architects, spoke on behalf of the application.
Discussion continued on the proposed open space amenity west of the property, the value of the project, future plans on the east side of the property, the tax benefit to the City if the project is approved, and the proposed timeline of the project.
Member Preston moved to recommend approval to the City Commission of the application by 501 Main Ave DevCorp, LLC and to grant the property tax exemption and the state income tax exemptions as allowed by the North Dakota Renaissance Zone law contingent upon completion of the project and verification costs. Second by Member Mathew. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Middaugh, Mathew, Peterson, Preston, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Swiontek. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Updated on Senate Bill
Ms. Elshaug provided a handout to the Board of the latest version of Senate Bill 2391 from the North Dakota Legislature and provided an overview of the changes to the Renaissance Zone program.
Discussion was held on possible updates for the next legislative session, interest in more satellite areas, and aspects of the original intent of the Renaissance Zone program.
Item 4: Other Business
Member Piepkorn shared that tomorrow, April 27, there will be a tour given at 1:00 p.m. of Brewhalla, and Renaissance Zone Authority members are invited to attend.
Mr. Gilmour noted that a notice will be given that a quorum may be present of members, and that this an opportunity to see the inside of the building.
Item 5: Adjourn – Next Meeting: May 24, 2023
The time at adjournment was 8:42 a.m.