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COUNCIL PROPOSAL
Date: File Number: Subject:
03/29/05 251 Designation of the Wedgwood Square Area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone
Proposed By: City Manager's Review: Page:
Councilmember Clyde Picht City Attorney's Review: a PAGE 1 OF 2
It is proposed that the City Council:
1. Schedule an item for April 12,2005 to designate the Wedgwood Square area as a Neighborhood Empowerment
Zone(NEZ); and
2. Authorize the City Manager to prepare resolution and ordinance to designate the Wedgwood Square area as a NEZ
and Reinvestment Zone.
DISCUSSION:
I. NEZ Desianation Criteria
On April 25,2000 (M&C G-12897),the City Council approved the Policy Statement on the Creation of Local NEZ's in
accordance with Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Government Code. The City Council also authorized the City Manager to
identify neighborhood areas that may be eligible for NEZ designation and to develop administrative procedures for the NEZ
Program.
The NEZ Administrative Procedures were adopted by the City Council on October 3,2000 and amended on April 2,2002 to
fine tune program requirements. The procedures included two methods by which a NEZ may be designated:
1. City Council designation; or
2. An application process.
The proposed Wedgwood Square area is eligible for NEZ designation. This coupled with the perceived potential
for residential and retail/commercial development has spurred the Wedgwood Square Neighborhood Association
(WSNA) along with the Wedgwood Square Business Association to spearhead a collaborative effort among
Wedgwood area entities to seek NEZ designation for the area. The WSNA has submitted a plan according to
submission requirements under the NEZ policy (Attachment A). The boundaries of the proposed NEZ are
Interstate Highway 20, also known as Loop 820 on the North, Welch Avenue and Wedgmont Circle on the South,
Woodway Drive and Walton Avenue on the East, and Old Granbury Road to the West(Attachment B). The
proposed Wedgwood Square NEZ has a population of 1,934 and meets the following designation requirements
under the City's NEZ policy:
o Has Population of less than 6,000; and
• At least 50% of the proposed NEZ area is Community Development Block Grant(CDBG) eligible; and
• Meets criteria for Reinvestment Zone designation in that the area is reasonably likely as a result of the
designation to contribute to the retention or expansion of primary employment or to attract major
investment in the zone that would be a benefit to the property and that would contribute to the economic
development of the City; and _
• Will create an increase in economic development in the zone; and `p`�__
• Will promote the rehabilitation of affordable housing in the zone. l���QCp/d L U ECS ,(�)��D
❑ LEGALITY � tl fi'` r`kkf\l
❑ FISCAL NOTE pif I�
❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS0 6111��V'�IIIp�o ,,�
❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL
CIT FO WO , TEXAS
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COUNCIL PROPOSAL
Date: File Number: Subject:
03/29/05 251 Designation of the Wedgwood Square Area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone
Proposed By: City Manager's Review: Page:
Councilmember Clyde Picht City Attorney's Review: '� PAGE 2 OF 2
II. Development Opportunities
Residential Development/Redevelopment: In the proposed NEZ area there are approximately 15.6 acres of
vacant land available for residential development as well as many older homes in need of repair or rebuilding. The
vacant property available for residential development is scattered throughout the proposed NEZ area.
Retail Development: There is only one lot, approximately 1.7 acres in size currently zoned and available for
commercial/retail development. There are many vacant storefronts and single standing structures available to
interested businesses.
Development Strategies:
• The 114 unit Park Hill Apartment Complex has long blighted the area. The community would like to
work with the City and the owner to renovate and or remodel the complex or identify a developer who
will renovate or remodel the property.
• Long-vacant structures located within the NEZ area will be rehabilitated and used to provide locations for
retail/commercial businesses.
The approval of this proposal by the City Council authorizes.the City Manager to prepare a resolution and
ordinance for the designation of the Wedgwood Square area as a NEZ and Reinvestment Zone.
LEGALITY:
The Department of Law finds that this proposal is legal and that it is within the authority of the City Council.
FISCAL NOTE:
The Finance Director certifies that the approval will not require the appropriation of additional funds at this time.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENT:
Staff supports the application,however there is concern that the proliferation of Neighborhood Empowerment Zones could
negatively impact the effic of existing Neighborhood Empowerment Zones.
Council tuber Councilmember
Approved April 5. 2005
❑ LEGALITY
❑ FISCAL NOTE
❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL