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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-19-13 Downtown Tax Increment Finance District (TIF) Minutes / Downtown Tax Increment Finance Board Meeting Minutes March 19, 2013 Attending: Bobby Bear, Shannon Haish, Vonda Laird, Bob Lashaway, Scott Lee, Bill Stoddart, Chris Naumann Absent: Bob Hietala Public Comments None Disclosures Minutes ACTION: Bob Lashaway moved to approve the February minutes as presented. Shannon Haish seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Financial Report Chris presented the financial report indicating that there was very little activity since last month. The only three expenses were $7,200 for a technical assistance grant, $3,106 to purchase two benches, and $3,000 for the Economic Profile survey work. There were no questions regarding finances. Executive Director’s Report Technical Assistance Program Update As you can see from the chart below, 9 grants have been awarded so far this year. The total committed funds for these projects total $58,500 of the $125,000 budget. Keep in mind that the committed grant amounts are only tentative since the actual reimbursement amount will be determined as a one to one match upon completion of the grant work. As a reminder, the Planning grants have a $7500 cap and the Façade grants are capped at $3000. **Grants listed in bold have been completed as the applicant has submitted all materials and been reimbursed (4 of 9 projects)** 2013 Downtown Technical Assistance Program        Project Name Project Address Applicant Professional Grant Type  SWN Creekside 317 East Mendenhall Susan Neubauer Weirich & Greenspace Facade  Rialto-SRO Live 12 West Main Stephen Michael CTA Planning  303 East Main 303 East Main Helori Graff Van Bryan Planning  303 East Main 303 East Main Helori Graff Van Bryan Facade  Lindley Park Hotel 712 East Main Anthony Renslow Works Partnership (OR) Planning   Lindley Park Hotel 712 East Main Anthony Renslow Works Partnership (OR) Planning  SWN Creekside 317 East Mendenhall Susan Neubauer Hyalite Engineers Planning  Block G--North 25 East Lamme Block M, LLC Intrinsik Planning  Block G--South 25 East Mendenhall Block M, LLC Intrinsik Planning  Bozeman Spirits 121 West Main Jim Harris Locati Planning   TIF Legislation Updates UPDATE: HB443 was tabled by the House Taxation Committee on Monday, March 18th. Previous notes: House Bill 443 would seriously restrict the power of TIF districts to fund major infrastructure projects. The bill would essentially negate the ability to issue bonds against TIF district revenues by mandating that any bond debt service must be retired within 15 years of district formation. I submitted comments to the House Taxation Committee expressing my opposition to HB443. The committee heard the bill on Monday February 18th. Downtown Construction Updates The Mendenhall Underground Utility project will start during the second half of May 2013 and will last 90 days or less. The project will extend from Broadway to 7th Avenues and involve the installation of new water and sewer lines. Only two or three blocks will be under construction at any given time. The contract stipulates that Mendenhall must be open to through traffic during all downtown events during the period of construction. Downtown Parking Updates / / Discussion and Decision Items COB Downtown Planning Initiative Chris told the board that over the course of the last 6 month he had engaged the Planning Department and identified several B3/Downtown District issues that needed to be addressed. These projects would help with further implementation of the Downtown Improvement Plan. 3D Modeling Project This would provide computer generated three dimensional massing model of the downtown district. This tool would be used to consider new developments. The project would be done in conjunction with the MSU Community Design Center. The CDC charges $5000.00 for a semester of work. Examples: DURT Project and Etha Hotel Discussion: The board asked several questions pertaining to assurances that such a model would 1) be formatted for wide applicability—by COB, consultants, developers, public, private; 2) that the format would remain relevant as technology continues to rapidly evolve; and 3) the data set/files would be able to be update on a regular basis. Chris said that the early stages of this project would involve bring experts together to brainstorm about compatibility and longevity issues—COB GIS, MSU CDC professors, private architects and engineers. B3 Zone Map Amendment The Bozeman Community Plan prescribes several boundary modifications to the downtown B3 zoning district. These by and large involve converting small portions of the surrounding Rx and B2 zone to the B3 designation. Doing so will better suit those properties for redevelopment. This could be completed for approximately $2000-$3000. Example: Harringtons/Seed Company ZMA Discussion: The board suggested that the affected property owners be petitioned to participate and it be made very clear that this was a “one-time offer” to prevent any unwilling participants to come back in the future and request the TIF pay for their individual ZMA. Chris agreed and said another early step would be to have COB GIS prepare an overlay map showing the existing B3 zone with the amended boundary clearly marked. He said this would be the time to think about any additional properties that should be added to the B3 other than those already identified in the Community Plan. Historic Inventory Update The historic inventory for the B3 district is from the 1980s. With such an antiquated inventory, property owners are required to provide an update for any structures they are looking to redevelop—adding another layer of bureaucracy and permitting to each and every project. Initial cost estimates have not been completed though each residential property would cost $150 and each commercial building would cost $300. The COB has some funds reserved for this project and would be looking for matching funds. Example: Block M Project Discussion: Courtney Kramer, COB Historic Preservation Planner, explained the process of updating the inventory and the value that would have for the Community Development and Planning Department. The board requested that Chris and Courtney further define the scope of work and cost estimates for the April meeting. B3 Code Amendments There are a variety of code amendments that need to be made in the B3/Downtown district. These include but are not limited to: revising the definitions of allowable housing types; adding an allowance for business signage in alleys; adding a provision to allow businesses to have primary entrances off an alley. Costs, if any, have yet to be determined. Discussion: Chris indicated that this was the most nebulous of the four and would take more time to develop a comprehensive list of amendments to propose. With no further new or old business to discuss, Bobby adjourned the meeting.