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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCP 262 CIT FO WO , TEXAS COUNCIL PROPOSAL Date: File Number: Subject: 03/06/2007 262 Designation of the Berryhill/Mason Heights Area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Proposed By: City Manager's Review: Page: Kathleen Hicks City Attorney's Review: A.-/ PAGE 9 OF 3 It is proposed that the City Council: 1. Schedule an item for March 20, 2007 to designate the Berryhill/Mason Heights area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone(NEZ); and 2. Authorize the City Manager to prepare a resolution and ordinance to designate the Berryhill/Mason Heights area as a NEZ and Reinvestment Zone. DISCUSSION: I. NEZ Designation 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. This Policy Statement was amended on October 4, 2005 (M&C G-14947). 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, and October 4,2005,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 Berryhill/Mason Heights area is eligible for NEZ designation. City staff, in consultation with the City Council District Representative and neighborhood stakeholders, has developed a plan according to requirements under the NEZ policy. The boundaries of the proposed NEZ are as follows: • Cobb Park from Highway 287 service road to Mitchell Boulevard on the north; • Mitchell Boulevard to Wilbarger to Foard St. on the west; • Foard to Eastland to Vaughan to Highway 287 service road on the south, and; • 287 service road to Cobb Park on the east. LEGALITY Li FISCAL NOTE ❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS ❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL F, C1 FO WO , TEXAS COUNCIL PROPOSAL Date: File Number: Subject: 03/06/2007 262 Designation of the Berryhill/Mason Heights Area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Proposed By: City Manager's Review: Page: Kathleen Hicks City Attorney's Review: �;� PAGE 2 OF 3 The proposed Berryhill/Mason Heights NEZ has a population of 1,410 and meets the following designation requirements under the City's NEZ policy: • Promotes the creation of quality affordable housing in the zone; • Will bring about economic development in the zone; • Has a population of less than 6,000; • Is 100%within the Central City and at least 75%of the proposed NEZ area is Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)eligible; • Is considered distressed based on census data on population, socio-demographic and other factors; • 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 Awl major investment in the zone that would be a benefit to the property and that would contribute to the economic development of the City. II. Development Opportunities Residential Development/Redevelopment: Located within the proposed NEZ is the 200+acre Mason Heights tract formerly known as the Texas Boys Home. This property was originally opened 125 years ago and was owned by the Texas Masons as a school and home for orphans and provided homes for widows as well. Current plans call for the development of approximately 500 single family homes on about 107 acres. Within the broader NEZ area there are a number of vacant residential lots, some of which are held by the City of Fort Worth. These vacant properties offer opportunities for development of additional quality affordable housing in the area. One of the City's previous nonprofit housing partners, Texas Community Development Corporation(TCDC), owns 15-20 vacant lots in the Berryhill neighborhood but the organization has decided to cease operating. The TCDC board has agreed to convey its inventory to the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation for future development. Commercial/Retail Development: The aforementioned Mason Heights area will also include an estimated development of 63 acres for commercial and retail businesses. This activity will complement proposed commercial development directly west along the Berry Street corridor at the intersection of Riverside and Berry. -EGALITY trFISCAL NOTE ❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS ❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL ' CIT FO WO , TEXAS e o � . o u 0 COUNCIL PROPOSAL Date: File Number: Subject: 03/06/2007 262 Designation of the Berryhill/Mason Heights Area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Proposed By: City Manager's Review: Page: Kathleen Hicks City Attorney's Review: PAGE 3 OF 3 The Mason Heights area is presently located within Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Number 12, East Berry Renaissance TIF (the "TIF"). Pursuant to the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy, any proposed tax abatement agreement for property within a NEZ that is also within a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone will be approved by City Council on a case-by-case basis. In addition, all such proposed tax abatement agreements must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. Therefore, any proposed tax abatement in the proposed Berryhill/Mason Heights NEZ that is also in the TIF must be approved by the City Council and the TIF Board of Directors. The approval of this proposal by the City Council authorizes the City Manager to prepare a resolution and ordinance for the designation of the Berryhill/Mason Heights 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: Since this area meets all established criteria and provides strong neighborhood participation that is critical to the overall success of this program,the City Manager recommends designation of the Berryhill/Mason Heights area as a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone. PRO)'OSED BY:k 1A 11 i rl�r� APP.- lizoz-01 Co ci em er CITY ouneii ember MAR b ..1:)07 LEGALITY ❑ FISCAL NOTE ❑ CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS City ❑ CITY POLICIES MANUAL city of 5. t ,� Pio c sect BerEyhillj Mason Hei NEZ Proposed Berryhill/ Mason Heights NEZ Boundary a Existing Park Boundaries 2000 Census Population"= 1,410 Land Area=601 Acres 'Includes pop from new townhomes 2005 Aerial Photography w A. Mir r- G o . ,r �• IV As P rA► T.,9- .. moi. y1 IrtL 1 #4v 460 fAr _ E f r {` - ) Y F ! # COPYRIGHT 2007 CITY OF FORT WORTH FORT WORTH UNAUTHORIZED REPRODUCT4ON IS AIAOLAT10N OFAPPLICABLE fi © LAWS.THIS DATA IS TO BE USE FOR GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION ONLY.THE ACCURACY IS NOT TO BE TAKEN/USED AS DATA lY - - �•� i w �°�. PRODUCED FOR ENGINEERING PURPOSES OR BY A REGISTEREDEft PROFESSIONAL LAND SURVEYOR.THE CITY OF FORT NORTH ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF SAID DATA ( .+ 0 -- — 025 ^.5 ` •# /i M1 Imp Source:Flenni np Depariment SFW Fabruary 2007 r