Renaissance Zone Authority - December 21, 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., Thursday, December 21, 2023.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Reid Middaugh, Steve Swiontek (via conference call), Prakash Mathew, Chad Peterson, Dr. Dean Bresciani (via conference call), Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Commissioner Arlette Preston
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approval of Minutes: Regular Meeting of April 26, 2023
Member Mathew moved the minutes of the April 26, 2023 Renaissance Zone Authority meeting be approved. Second by Member Peterson. All Members present voted aye and the motion was declared carried.
Item 2: Renaissance Zone Development Plan update to allow for an 8 year exemption.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented and brief overview of the updates to the RZA development plan recently passed by the North Dakota legislature.
Discussion was held on the 8 year tax benefit term option that was introduced, impact and requirements of the new term option, and background behind the change.
Director of Strategic Planning and Development Jim Gilmour spoke on guidelines of the 8 year benefit option.
Discussion continued on the goals of the Renaissance Zone, the timing in bringing forward these changes to the Board, and impacts of the proposed updates.
Director of Planning and Development Nicole Crutchfield spoke on the timing of presenting the updates and the upcoming update to the local Renaissance Zone Development Plan.
Further discussion was held on the implications if the Board does not approve the update, and remaining competitive with the nearby markets.
Member Piepkorn moved to recommend approval of the Fargo Renaissance Zone Development Plan update to the City Commission with the change in the benefit term of up to 8 years. Second by Member Middaugh. On call of the roll Members Piepkorn, Middaugh, Mathew, Swiontek, Preston, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Member Peterson voted nay. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Review of application from Block 8, LLC (Rehabilitation) located at 814 Main Avenue.
Ms. Elshaug presented the staff report for a rehabilitation project at 814 Main Avenue. She stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Discussion was held on the scoring of the project and the 8 year benefit.
Mr. Gilmour spoke on the approval process and necessary support for the Renaissance Zone Development Plan update for the 8 year benefit.
Discussion continued on the current property tax on the property and the proposed future property tax, and the purpose of the Renaissance program for downtown.
Applicant Kevin Bartram spoke on behalf of the application.
Further discussion was held on the vacancies in mixed-use projects in Fargo, and the long-term view of Downtown.
Member Piepkorn moved to recommend approval to the City Commission to approve the application submitted by Block 8, 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 of costs. Second by Member Middaugh. On call of the roll Members Middaugh, Swiontek, Preston, Piepkorn, Mathew, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Member Peterson voted nay. The motion was declared carried.
Item 4: Introduction of 2024 Renaissance Zone Development Plan update
Ms. Elshaug shared the history of the Renaissance Zone Development Plan and the timeline for updates. She noted in the spring of 2024 the process to update the plan will begin.
Item 5: Downtown InFocus plan update
Ms. Elshaug provided an overview of the Downtown InFocus plan updates.
Discussion was held on the implementation process.
Item 6: Fargo Growth Plan update
Ms. Elshaug provided a brief update and noted Chair Mathern sits on the advisory committee. She noted a link is in the packet to further review.
Item 7: 2024 Meeting Calendar
Chair Mathern noted the 2024 Meeting dates are included in the packet.
Item 8: Other Business
No other business was presented.
Item 9: Adjourn – Next Meeting: January 24, 2024
The time at adjournment was 8:52 a.m.