Renaissance Zone Authority - September 11, 2024 Minutes
A Special 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, September 11, 2024.
The Renaissance Zone Authority members present or absent were as follows:
Present: Deb Mathern, Reid Middaugh, Prakash Mathew, Chad Peterson, Dr. Dean Bresciani, Commissioner Dave Piepkorn, Mayor Tim Mahoney
Absent: Brian Larson
Chair Mathern called the meeting to order.
Item 1: Approval of Minutes: July 24, 2024
Member Mathew moved the minutes of the July 24, 2024 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 TA Investments, LLC (Rehabilitation) located at 315 Main Ave.
Planning Coordinator Maegin Elshaug presented the staff report for a rehabilitation project at 315 Main Avenue. She noted an application was received for this site in 2001, but plans were never finalized, and the application at this location is deemed eligible. She stated staff is recommending approval as the proposal meets the guidelines and all required approval criteria.
Discussion was held on project scoring, use of the building next door, and location of parking.
Planning and Development Director Nicole Crutchfield spoke on coordinating the pieces of the Renaissance Zone Development Plan, and the Downtown InFocus Plan when processing applications.
Further discussion was held on the proposed number of residential units, the importance of residential housing downtown, and a comparison of the current and proposed property taxes.
Member Peterson moved to recommend approval to the City Commission to approve the application submitted by TA Investments, LLC and to grant the property tax exemption and the State income tax exemptions 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 Piepkorn, Middaugh, Mathew, Peterson, Mahoney, Bresciani, and Mathern voted aye. Absent and not voting: Member Larson. The motion was declared carried.
Item 3: Renaissance Zone Development Plan Workshop update
Ms. Elshaug provided and overview of the Renaissance Zone Plan workshop on August 28, 2024, and noted there will be a public open house for the Renaissance Zone Plan on Tuesday, September 24 from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. in the Commission Chambers, Fargo City Hall.
Item 4: Other Business
No other business was presented.
Item 5: Adjourn – Next Meeting: September 25, 2024
The time at adjournment was 8:20 a.m.