HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 30979 CITY SECRETARY
CONTRACT NO, q
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF TARRANT §
TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED IN A
NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE
5929 Blackmore Ave.
This TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into by and
between the CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS (the "City"), a home rule municipal
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Texas and acting by and through Reid Rector,
its duly authorized Assistant City Manager, and Danny Sneed ("Owner"), owner of property
located at 5929 Blackmore Avenue, Block 412, Lot 15&16, Chamberlain Arlington Hts 2nd
Addition, in the City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.
The City Council of the City of Fort Worth ("City Council")hereby finds and the City and
Owner hereby agree that the following statements are true and correct and constitute the basis upon
which the City and Owner have entered into this Agreement:
A. Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Government Code allows a municipality to create a
Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) if the municipality determines that the
creation of the zone would promote:
(1) The creation of affordable housing, including manufactured housing in the
zone;
(2) An increase in economic development in the zone;
(3) An increase in the quality of social services, education, or public safety
provided to residents of the zone; or
(4) The rehabilitation of affordable housing in the zone.
B. Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Government Code provides that a municipality that
creates a NEZ, may enter into agreements abating municipal property taxes on
property in the zone.
C. On July 31, 2001, the City adopted basic incentives for property owners who own
property located in a NEZ, stating that the City elects to be eligible to participate in
tax abatement and including guidelines and criteria governing tax abatement
agreements entered into between the City and various third parties, titled "NEZ
Basic Incentives" ("NEZ Incentives"), these are readopted on April 22, 2003,
May 27, 2003, and April 6, 2004. The April 6, 2004 NEZ Incentives are attached
hereto as Exhibit"A"and hereby made a part of this Agreement for all purposes.
D. The NEZ Incentives contains appropriate guidelines and criteria governing tax
abatement agreements to be entered into by the City as contemplated by Chapter
312 of the Texas Tax Code, as amended(the"Code").
E. On April 2, 2002, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 15061 (the
"Ordinance") establishing "Neighborhood Empowerment Reinvestment Zone No.
Two' City of Fort Worth, Texas (the"Zone").
F. Owner owns certain real property located entirely within the Ridglea/Como NEZ
and that is more particularly described in Exhibit `B", attached hereto, and hereby
made a part of this Agreement for all purposes (the"Premises").
G. Owner or its assigns plan to construct the Required Improvements, as defined in
Section 1.1 of this Agreement, on the Premises to be used as a single-family
residence that will be Owner occupied(the"Project").
H. On March 19, 2004, Owner submitted an application for NEZ incentives and for tax
abatement to the City concerning the contemplated use of the Premises (the
"Application"), attached hereto as Exhibit "C" and hereby made a part of this
Agreement for all purposes.
I. The City Council finds that the contemplated use of the Premises, the Required
Improvements, as defined in Section 1.1, and the terms of this Agreement are
consistent with encouraging development of the Zone in accordance with the
purposes for its creation and are in compliance with the NEZ Incentives, the
Ordinance and other applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
J. The terms of this Agreement, and the Premises and Required Improvements, satisfy
the eligibility criteria of the NEZ Incentives.
K. Written notice that the City intends to enter into this Agreement, along with a copy
of this Agreement, has been furnished in the manner prescribed by the Code to the
presiding officers of the governing bodies of each of the taxing units in which the
Premises is located.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City and Owner, for and in consideration of the terms and
conditions set forth herein, do hereby contract, covenant, and agree as follows:
1. OWNER'S COVENANTS.
1.1. Real Property Improvements.
Owner shall construct, or cause to be constructed, on and within the Premises
certain improvements consisting of a single-family residence (collectively, the "Required
Improvements"), (i) of at least 1,280 square feet in size and built to the specifications
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listed in Exhibit "D" and (ii) having an appraised value of at least $64,400.00 as
determined by an independent appraiser (collectively the "Required Improvements").
Owner shall provide a survey of the completed home once completed. The parties agree
that the final survey shall be a part of this Agreement and shall be labeled Exhibit E.
Minor variations and more substantial variations if approved in writing by both parties to
this Agreement before construction is undertaken, in the Required Improvements from the
description provided in the Application for Tax Abatement shall not constitute an Event of
Default, as defined in Section 4.1, provided that the conditions in the first sentence of this
Section 1.1 are met and the Required Improvements are used for the purposes and in the
manner described in Exhibit"D".
1.2. Completion Date of Required Improvements.
Owner certifies that the Required Improvements will be completed within two
years from the issuance and receipt of the building permit unless delayed because of force
majeure, in which case the two years shall be extended by the number of days comprising
the specific force majeure. For purposes of this Agreement, force majeure shall mean an
event beyond Owner's reasonable control, including, without limitation, delays caused by
adverse weather, delays in receipt of any required permits or approvals from any
governmental authority, or acts of God, fires determined by the City of Fort Worth in its
sole discretion,which shall not be unreasonably withheld,but shall not include construction
delays caused due to purely financial matters, such as, without limitation, delays in the
obtaining of adequate financing.
1.3. Use of Premises.
Owner covenants that the Premises and the Required Improvements shall be used
as the Owner's primary residence and in accordance with the NEZ Incentives. In
addition, Owner covenants that throughout the Term, the Required Improvements shall
be maintained for the purposes set forth in this Agreement.
2. ABATEMENT AMOUNTS,TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
Subject to and in accordance with this Agreement, the City hereby grants to Owner a real
property tax abatement on the Premises, the Required Improvements, as specifically provided in
this Section 2 ("Abatement"). "Abatement" of real property taxes only includes City of Fort
Worth-imposed taxes and not taxes from other taxing entities.
2.1. Amount of Abatement.
The actual amount of the Abatement granted under this Agreement shall be based
upon the increase in value of the Premises, the Required Improvements, over their values
on January 1, 2004, the year in which both parties executed this Agreement. The
Abatement shall be 100% of the increase in value from the construction of the Required
Improvements.
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If the square footage requirement and the appraised value of the Required Improvements
are less than as provided in Section 1.1 of this Agreement, Owner shall not be eligible to
receive any Abatement under this Agreement.
2.2 Increase in Value
The abatement shall apply only to taxes on the increase in value of the Premises
due to construction of the Required Improvements and shall not apply to taxes on the
Land
2.3. Terms of Abatements.
The term of the Abatement (the "Term") shall begin on January 1 of the year
following the calendar year in which the Required Improvement is completed and,
unless sooner terminated as herein provided, shall end on December 31
immediately preceding the fifth(5m)anniversary of the Beginning Date.
2.4 Protests Over Appraisals or Assessments.
Owner shall have the right to protest and contest any or all appraisals or
assessments of the Premises and/or improvements thereon.
2.5. Abatement Application Fee.
The City acknowledges receipt from Owner of the required Application fee of
$25.00.
3. RECORDS,AUDITS AND EVALUATION OF PROJECT.
3.1. Inspection of Premises.
Between the execution date of this Agreement and the last day of the Term, at any
time during normal office hours throughout the Term and the year following the Term and
following reasonable notice to Owner, the City shall have and Owner shall provide access
to the Premises in order for the City to inspect the Premises and evaluate the Required
Improvements to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
Owner shall cooperate fully with the City during any such inspection and/or evaluation.
3.2. Certification.
Owner shall certify annually to the City that it is in compliance with each applicable
term of this agreement. The City shall have the right to audit at the City's expense the
Required Improvement with respects to the specifications listed in Exhibit D. Owner must
provide documentation that Owner is using the Required Improvements as its primary
residence (collectively, the "Records") at any time during the Compliance Auditing Term
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in order to determine compliance with this Agreement. Owner shall make all applicable
Records available to the City on the Premises or at another location in the City following
reasonable advance notice by the City and shall otherwise cooperate fully with the City
during any audit.
3.3 Provision of Information.
On or before February 1 following the end of every year during the Compliance
Auditing Term and if requested by the City, Owner shall provide information and
documentation for the previous year that addresses Owner's compliance with each of the
terms and conditions of this Agreement for that calendar year.
Failure to provide all information within the control of Owner required by this
Section 3.3 shall constitute an Event of Default, as defined in Section 4.1.
3.4 Determination of Compliance.
On or before August 1 of each year, the City shall make a decision and rule on the
Abatement to Owner for the following year of the Term and shall notify Owner of such
decision and ruling. The Abatement granted for a given year of the Term is therefore based
upon Owner's compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement during the
previous year of the Compliance Auditing Tenn.
4. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
4.1. Defined.
Unless otherwise specified herein, Owner shall be in default of this Agreement if(i)
Owner fails to construct the Required Improvements as defined in Section 1.1.; (ii) ad
valorem real property taxes with respect to the Premises or the Project, or its ad valorem
taxes with respect to the tangible personal property located on the Premises, become
delinquent and Owner does not timely and properly follow the legal procedures for protest
and/or contest of any such ad valorem real property or tangible personal property taxes or
(iii) OWNER DOES NOT USE THE PREMISES AS PRIMARY RESIDENCE
ONCE THE ABATEMENT BEGINS (iv) Owner does not comply with Chapter 7 and
Appendix B of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Worth (collectively, each an
"Event of Default").
4.2. Notice to Cure.
Subject to Section 5, if the City determines that an Event of Default has occurred,
the City shall provide a written notice to Owner that describes the nature of the Event of
Default. Owner shall have ninety(90) calendar days from the date of receipt of this written
notice to fully cure or have cured the Event of Default. If Owner reasonably believes that
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RST
1-.
Owner will require additional time to cure the Event of Default, Owner shall promptly
notify the City in writing, in which case (i) after advising the City Council in an open
meeting of Owner's efforts and intent to cure, Owner shall have one hundred eighty (180)
calendar days from the original date of receipt of the written notice, or (ii) if Owner
reasonably believes that Owner will require more than one hundred eighty (180) days to
cure the Event of Default, after advising the City Council in an open meeting of Owner's
efforts and intent to cure, such additional time, if any, as may be offered by the City
Council in its sole discretion.
4.3. Termination for Event of Default and Payment of Liquidated Damages.
If an Event of Default, which is defined in Section 4.1, has not been cured within
the time frame specifically allowed under Section 4.2, the City shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement immediately. Owner acknowledges and agrees that an uncured
Event of Default will (i)harm the City's economic development and redevelopment efforts
on the Premises and in the vicinity of the Premises; (ii) require unplanned and expensive
additional administrative oversight and involvement by the City; and (iii) otherwise harm
the City, and Owner agrees that the amounts of actual damages therefrom are speculative in
nature and will be difficult or impossible to ascertain. Therefore, upon termination of this
Agreement for any Event of Default, Owner shall pay the City, as liquidated damages, all
taxes that were abated in accordance with this Agreement for each year when an Event of
Default existed and which otherwise would have been paid to the City in the absence of
this Agreement. The City and Owner agree that this amount is a reasonable approximation
of actual damages that the City will incur as a result of an uncured Event of Default and
that this Section 4.3 is intended to provide the City with compensation for actual damages
and is not a penalty. This amount may be recovered by the City through adjustments made
to Owner's ad valorem property tax appraisal by the appraisal district that has jurisdiction
over the Premises. Otherwise, this amount shall be due, owing and paid to the City within
sixty (60) days following the effective date of termination of this Agreement. In the event
that all or any portion of this amount is not paid to the City within sixty (60) days following
the effective date of termination of this Agreement, Owner shall also be liable for all
penalties and interest on any outstanding amount at the statutory rate for delinquent taxes,
as determined by the Code at the time of the payment of such penalties and interest
(currently, Section 33.01 of the Code).
4.4. Termination at Will.
If the City and Owner mutually determine that the development or use of the
Premises or the anticipated Required Improvements are no longer appropriate or feasible,
or that a higher or better use is preferable, the City and Owner may terminate this
Agreement in a written format that is signed by both parties. In this event, (i) if the Term
has commenced, the Term shall expire as of the effective date of the termination of this
Agreement; (ii) there shall be no recapture of any taxes previously abated; and (iii) neither
party shall have any further rights or obligations hereunder.
Page 6 of 41
5. EFFECT OF SALE OF PREMISES.
Except for an assignment to Owner's first mortgagee or to a homebuyer who will use the
Required Improvements as its primary residence or the homeowner's mortgagee which City
Council hereby agrees to, the Abatement granted hereunder shall vest only in Owner, however if
Owner sells the Premises and Required Improvements,this Abatement cannot be assigned to a new
owner of all or any portion of the Premises and/or Required Improvements without the prior
consent of the City Council,which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld provided that(i)the
City Council finds that the proposed assignee is financially capable of meeting the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and(ii) the proposed purchaser agrees in writing to assume all terms
and conditions of Owner under this Agreement. Owner may not otherwise assign, lease or convey
any of its rights under this Agreement. Any attempted assignment without the City Council's prior
consent shall constitute grounds for termination of this Agreement and the Abatement granted
hereunder following ten(10) calendar days of receipt of written notice from the City to Owner.
Upon assignment to Owner's first mortgagee, or to a homebuyer who will use the Required
Improvements as its primary residence or the homeowner's mortgagee, Owner shall have no
further obligations or duties under this agreement.In addition,upon assignment to any other
entity with the written consent of City Council, Owner shall have no further duty or
obligation under this agreement.
IN NO EVENT SHALL THE TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT BE EXTENDED IN THE
EVENT OF A SALE OR ASSIGNMENT.
6. NOTICES.
All written notices called for or required by this Agreement shall be addressed to the
following, or such other party or address as either party designates in writing, by certified mail,
postage prepaid,or by hand delivery:
City: Owner:
City of Fort Worth Danny Sneed
Attn: Housing Department 8529 Boat Club Road
1000 Throckmorton Fort Worth,TX 76179
Fort Worth,TX 76102
And
Housing Department
Director
1000 Throckmorton
Fort Worth,Texas 76102
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7. MISCELLANEOUS.
7.1. Bonds
The Required Improvements will not be financed by tax increment bonds. This
Agreement is subject to the rights of holders of outstanding bonds of the City.
7.2. Conflicts of Interest.
Neither the Premises nor any of the Required Improvements covered by this
Agreement are owned or leased by any member of the City Council, any member of the
City Plan or Zoning Commission or any member of the governing body of any taxing units
in the Zone.
7.3. Conflicts Between Documents.
In the event of any conflict between the City's zoning ordinances, or other City
ordinances or regulations, and this Agreement, such ordinances or regulations shall control.
In the event of any conflict between the body of this Agreement and Exhibit "C", the body
of this Agreement shall control.
7.4. Future Application.
A portion or all of the Premises and/or Required Improvements may be eligible for
complete or partial exemption from ad valorem taxes as a result of existing law or future
legislation. This Agreement shall not be construed as evidence that such exemptions do not
apply to the Premises and/or Required Improvements.
7.5. City Council Authorization.
This Agreement was authorized by the City Council through approval of Mayor and
Council Communication No. C-20038 on April 20, 2004, which, among other things,
authorized the City Manager to execute this Agreement on behalf of the City.
7.6. Estoppel Certificate.
Any party hereto may request an estoppel certificate from another party hereto so
long as the certificate is requested in connection with a bona fide business purpose. The
certificate, which if requested will be addressed to the Owner, shall include, but not
necessarily be limited to, statements that this Agreement is in full force and effect without
default (or if an Event of Default exists, the nature of the Event of Default and curative
action taken and/or necessary to effect a cure), the remaining term of this Agreement, the
levels and remaining term of the Abatement in effect, and such other matters reasonably
requested by the party or parties to receive the certificates.
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7.7. Owner Standing.
Owner shall be deemed a proper and necessary party in any litigation questioning or
challenging the validity of this Agreement or any of the underlying laws, ordinances,
resolutions or City Council actions authorizing this Agreement, and Owner shall be entitled
to intervene in any such litigation.
7.8. Venue and Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Texas and applicable ordinances, rules, regulations or policies of the City. Venue for any
action under this Agreement shall lie in the State District Court of Tarrant County, Texas.
This Agreement is performable in Tarrant County, Texas.
7.9 Recordation.
A certified copy of this Agreement in recordable form shall be recorded in the Deed
Records of Tarrant County, Texas.
7.10. Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable,
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way
be affected or impaired.
7.11 Headings Not Controlling.
Headings and titles used in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and
shall not be deemed a part of this Agreement.
7.12. Entirety of Agreement.
This Agreement, including any exhibits attached hereto and any documents
incorporated herein by reference, contains the entire understanding and agreement
between the City and Owner, their assigns and successors in interest, as to the matters
contained herein. Any prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreement is hereby
declared null and void to the extent in conflict with any provision of this Agreement.
This Agreement shall not be amended unless executed in writing by both parties and
approved by the City Council. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts,
each of which shall be considered an original, but all of which shall constitute one
instrument.
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EXECUTED this SLday of 12, 2004, by the City of Fort Worth,
Texas.
EXECUTED this day of , 2004,by
CITY OF FORT WORTH: OWNER:
�K I\
By. By:
Dale A. Fissele Danny Sneed
Assistant City Manager(Acting) Owner
ATTEST:
By
Oi�
City Secretary
APPROVED A FORM AND LEGALITY:
By:
Cynthia Garcia
Assistant City Attorney
M & C: C-20038
M
Page 10 of 41
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF TARRANT §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared
Dale A. Fisseler, Acting Assistant City Manager of the CITY OF FORT WORTH,
a municipal corporation, known to me to be the person and officer whose name is
subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that the same was
the act of the said CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS, a municipal corporation,
that he was duly authorized to perform the same by appropriate resolution of the
City Council of the City of Fort Worth and that he executed the same as the act of
the said City for the purposes and consideration therein expressed and in the
capacity therein stated.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE this -,;Z4day of
200 Y- .
REMI BARNES�XA 94 R ALP RY PUBLIC Notary Public in and for of Texas the State of Texas p.03 31-2005
Notary's Printed Name
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF TARRANT §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared Danny
Sneed, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing
instrument, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and
consideration therein expressed, in the capacity therein stated.
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE this IS*day of
6
12094.
.........
DADA BRYANT
MY COMMISSION EXPIRES
. `•' March 24,2008
Not P 1ic Linand for
the State of Texas
:Rcaa aA an-+—
Notary's Printed Name
Exhibit A: NEZ Incentives
Exhibit B: Property Description
Exhibit C: Application: (NEZ) Incentives and Tax Abatement
Exhibit D: Project description including kind, number and location of the
proposed improvements.
Exhibit E: Final Survey
EXHIBIT A
CITY OF FORT WORTH
NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE (NEZ) TAX ABATEMENT POLICY AND
BASIC INCENTIVES
I. GENERAL PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Government Code allows a municipality to create a
Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) when a "...municipality determines that the
creation of the zone would promote:
(1) the creation of affordable housing, including manufactured housing, in the
zone;
(2) an increase in economic development in the zone;
(3) an increase in the quality of social services, education, or public safety
provided to residents of the zone; or
(4) the rehabilitation of affordable housing in the zone."
The City, by adopting the following NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic
Incentives, will promote affordable housing and economic development in Neighborhood
Empowerment Zones. NEZ incentives will not be granted after the NEZ expires as
defined in the resolution designating the NEZ. For each NEZ, the City Council may
approve additional terms and incentives as permitted by Chapter 378 of the Texas Local
Government Code or by City Council resolution. However, any tax abatement awarded
before the expiration of a NEZ shall carry its full term according to its tax abatement
agreement approved by the City Council.
As mandated by state law, the property tax abatement under this policy applies to the
owners of real property. Nothing in the policy shall be construed as an obligation by the
City of Fort Worth to approve any tax abatement application.
II. DEFINITIONS
"Abatement" means the full or partial exemption from City of Fort
Worth ad valorem taxes on eligible properties for a period of up
to 10 years and an amount of up to 1006 of the increase in
appraised value (as reflected on the certified tax roll of the
appropriate county appraisal district) resulting from improvements
begun after the execution of the tax abatement agreement .
Eligible properties must be located in the NEZ.
"Base Value"is the value of the property, excluding land, as determined by the Tarrant
County Appraisal District, during the year rehabilitation occurs.
"Building Standards Commission"is the commission created under Sec. 7-77, Article IV.
Minimum Building Standards Code of the Fort Worth City Code.
1
"Capital Investment" includes only real property improvements such
as new facilities and structures, site improvements, facility
expansion, and facility modernization. Capital Investment does NOT
include land acquisition costs and/or any existing improvements,
or personal property (such as machinery, equipment, and/or
supplies and inventory) .
"City of Fort Worth Tax Abatement Policy Statement" means the
policy adopted by City Council on February 29, 2000 .
"Commercial/Industrial Development Project" is a development project which proposes
to construct or rehabilitate commercial/industrial facilities on property that is (or meets
the requirements to be)zoned commercial, industrial or mixed use as defined by the City
of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
"Community Facility Development Project" is a development project which proposes to
construct or rehabilitate community facilities on property that allows such use as defined
by the City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
"Eligible Rehabilitation" includes only physical improvements to real property. Eligible
Rehabilitation does NOT include personal property (such as furniture, appliances,
equipment, and/or supplies).
"Gross Floor Area"is measured by taking the outside dimensions of the building at each
floor level, except that portion of the basement used only for utilities or storage, and any
areas within the building used for off-street parking.
"Minimum Building Standards Code" is Article IV of the Fort Worth City Code adopted
pursuant to Texas Local Government Code, Chapters 54 and 214.
"Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)" and "Women Business Enterprise (WBE)" is a
minority or woman owned business that has received certification as either a certified
MBE or certified WBE by either the North Texas Regional Certification Agency (NTRCA)
or the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDot), Highway Division.
"Mixed-Use Development Project"is a development project which proposes to construct
or rehabilitate mixed-use facilities in which residential uses constitute 20 percent or more
of the total gross floor area, and office, eating and entertainment, and/or retail sales and
service uses constitute 10 percent or more of the total gross floor area and is on
property that is (or meets the requirements to be) zoned mixed-use as described by the
City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
"Multi-family Development Project"is a development project which proposes to construct
or rehabilitate multi-family residential living units on property that is (or meets the
requirements to be) zoned multi-family or mixed use as defined by the City of Fort Worth
Zoning Ordinance.
"Project" means a "Residential Project", "Commercial/Industrial
Development Project", "Community Facility Development Project",
"Mixed-Use Development Project", or a "Multi-family Development
Project . "
2
�U i�;✓!�143 ��s�:
"Reinvestment Zone" is an area designated as such by the City of
Fort Worth in accordance with the Property Redevelopment and Tax
Abatement Act codified in Chapter 312 of the Texas Tax Code, or an
area designated as an enterprise zone pursuant to the Texas
Enterprise Zone Act, codified in Chapter 2303 of the Texas
Government Code.
III. MUNICIPAL PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS
A. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED IN A NEZ- FULL ABATEMENT FOR
5 YEARS
1. For residential property purchased before NEZ designation, a homeowner
shall be eligible to apply for a tax abatement by meeting the following:
a. Property is owner-occupied and the primary residence of the homeowner
prior to the final NEZ designation. Homeowner shall provide proof of
ownership by a warranty deed, affidavit of heirship, or a probated will, and
shall show proof of primary residence by homestead exemption; and
b. Property is rehabilitated after NEZ designation and City Council
approval of the tax abatement.
c. Homeowner must perform Eligible Rehabilitation on the property after
NEZ designation equal to or in excess of 30% of the Base Value of
the property; and
d. Property is not in a tax-delinquent status when the abatement
application is submitted.
2. For residential property purchased after NEZ designation, a
homeowner shall be eligible to apply for a tax abatement by meeting the
following:
a. Property is constructed or rehabilitated after NEZ designation and City
Council approval of the tax abatement;
b. Property is owner-occupied and is the primary residence of the
homeowner. Homeowner shall provide proof of ownership by a warranty
deed, affidavit of heirship, or a probated will, and shall show proof of
primary residence by homestead exemption;
c. For rehabilitated property, Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property
shall be equal to or in excess of 30% of the Base Value of the property.
The seller or owner shall provide the City information to support
rehabilitation costs;
d. Property is not in a tax-delinquent status when the abatement application
is submitted; and
e. Property is in conformance with the City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
3. For investor owned single-family property, an investor shall be eligible to
apply for a tax abatement by meeting the following:
a. Property is constructed or rehabilitated after NEZ designation and City
Council approval of the tax abatement;
3
b. For rehabilitated property, Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property
shall be equal to or in excess of 30% of the Base Value of the property;
c. Property is not in a tax-delinquent status when the abatement application
is submitted; and
d. Property is in conformance with the City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
B. MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED IN A NEZ
1. 100% Abatement for 5 years.
If an applicant applies for a tax abatement agreement with a term of five
years or less, this section shall apply.
Abatements for multi-family development projects for up to 5 years are
subject to City Council approval. The applicant may apply with the Housing
Department for such abatement.
The applicant must apply for the tax abatement and be approved by City
Council before construction or rehabilitation is started.
In order to be eligible for property tax abatement upon completion, a newly
constructed or rehabilitated multi-family development project in a NEZ must
satisfy the following:
At least twenty percent (20%) of the total units constructed or
rehabilitated shall be affordable (as defined by the U. S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development) to persons with incomes at or below
eighty percent (80%) of area median income based on family size and
such units shall be set aside for persons at or below 80% of the median
income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development. City Council may waive or reduce the 20% affordability
requirement on a case-by-case basis; and
(a) For a multi-family development project constructed after NEZ
designation, the project must provide at least five (5) residential living
units OR have a minimum Capital Investment of$200,000; or
(b) For a rehabilitation project, the property must be rehabilitated after
NEZ designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall
be at least 30% of the Base Value of the property. Such Eligible
Rehabilitation costs must come from the rehabilitation of at least five
(5) residential living units or a minimum Capital Investment of
$200,000.
2. 1%-100% Abatement of City Ad Valorem taxes up to 10 years
If an applicant applies for a tax abatement agreement with a term of more
than five years, this section shall apply.
4
Abatements for multi-family development projects for up to 10 years are
subject to City Council approval. The applicant may apply with the Housing
Department for such abatement.
The applicant must apply for the tax abatement and be approved by City
Council before construction or rehabilitation is started.
Years 1 through 5 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Multi-family projects shall be eligible for 100% abatement of City ad valorem
taxes for years one through five of the Tax Abatement Agreement upon the
satisfaction of the following:
At least twenty percent (20%) of the total units constructed or
rehabilitated shall be affordable (as defined by the U. S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development) to persons with incomes at or below
eighty percent (80%) of area median income based on family size and
such units shall be set aside for persons at or below 80% of the median
income as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development. City Council may waive or reduce the 20% affordability
requirement on a case-by-case basis; and
a. For a multi-family development project constructed after NEZ
designation, the project must provide at least five (5) residential living
units OR have a minimum Capital Investment of$200,000; or
b. For a rehabilitation project, the property must be rehabilitated after
NEZ designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall
be at least 30% of the Base Value of the property. Such Eligible
Rehabilitation costs must come from the rehabilitation of at least five
(5) residential living units or a minimum Capital Investment of
$200,000.
Years 6 through 10 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Multi-family projects shall be eligible for a 1%-100% abatement of City ad
valorem taxes for years six through ten of the Tax Abatement Agreement
upon the satisfaction of the following:
a. At least twenty percent (20%) of the total units constructed or rehabilitated
shall be affordable (as defined by the U. S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development) to persons with incomes at or below eighty percent
(80%) of area median income based on family size and such units shall
be set aside for persons at or below 80% of the median income as
defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
City Council may waive or reduce the 20% affordability requirement on a
case-by-case basis; and
1. For a multi-family development project constructed after NEZ
designation, the project must provide at least five (5) residential living
units OR have a minimum Capital Investment of$200,000; or
2. For a rehabilitation project, the property must be rehabilitated after
NEZ designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall
be at least 30% of the Base Value of the property. Such Eligible
5
Rehabilitation costs must come from the rehabilitation of at least five
(5) residential living units or a minimum Capital Investment of
$200,000.
b. Any other terms as City Council of the City of Fort Worth deems
appropriate, including, but not limited to:
1. utilization of Fort Worth companies for an agreed upon percentage of
the total costs for construction contracts;
2. utilization of certified minority and women owned business enterprises
for an agreed upon percentage of the total costs for construction
contracts;
3. property inspection;
4. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Fort Worth residents
5. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Central City residents
6. landscaping;
7. tenant selection plans; and
8. management plans.
C. COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS LOCATED IN A NEZ
1. 100% Abatement of City Ad Valorem taxes for 5 years
If an applicant applies for a tax abatement agreement with a term of five
years or less, this section shall apply.
Abatements for Commercial, Industrial and Community Facilities
Development Projects for up to 5 years are subject to City Council approval.
The applicant may apply with the Housing Department for such abatement.
The applicant must apply for the tax abatement and be approved by City
Council before construction or rehabilitation is started.
In order to be eligible for a property tax abatement, a newly constructed or
rehabilitated commercial/industrial and community facilities development
project in a NEZ must satisfy the following:
a. A commercial, industrial or a community facilities development project
constructed after NEZ designation must have a minimum Capital
Investment of$75,000; or
b. For a rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated after NEZ
designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall be at
least 30% of the Base Value of the property, or $75,000, whichever is
greater.
2. 1%-100% Abatement of City Ad Valorem taxes up to 10 years
If an applicant applies for a tax abatement agreement with a term of more
than five years, this section shall apply.
6 :r
Abatements agreements for a Commercial, Industrial and Community
Facilities Development projects for up to 10 years are subject to City Council
approval. The applicant may apply with the Economic and Community
Development Department for such abatement.
The applicant must apply for the tax abatement and be approved by City
Council before construction or rehabilitation is started.
Years 1 through 5 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Commercial, Industrial and Community Facilities Development projects shall
be eligible for 100% abatement of City ad valorem taxes for the first five years
of the Tax Abatement Agreement upon the satisfaction of the following:
a. A commercial, industrial or a community facilities development project
constructed after NEZ designation must have a minimum Capital
Investment of $75,000; or
b. For a rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated after NEZ designation.
Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall be at least 30% of the
Base Value of the property, or$75,000, whichever is greater.
Years 6 through 10 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Commercial, Industrial and Community Facilities Development projects shall
be eligible for 1%-100% abatement of City ad valorem taxes for years six
through ten of the Tax Abatement Agreement upon the satisfaction of the
following:
a. A commercial, industrial or a community facilities development
project constructed after NEZ designation must have a minimum
Capital Investment of $75,000 and must meet the requirements of
subsection (c) below ; or
b. For a rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated after NEZ
designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall be
at least 30% of the Base Value of the property, or $75,000,
whichever is greater and meet the requirements of subsection (c)
below.
c. Any other terms as City Council of the City of Fort Worth deems
appropriate, including, but not limited to:
1. utilization of Fort Worth companies for an agreed upon percentage
of the total costs for construction contracts;
2. utilization of certified minority and women owned business
enterprises for an agreed upon percentage of the total costs for
construction contracts;
3. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Fort Worth
residents;
4. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Central City
residents; and
5. landscaping.
D. MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED IN A NEZ
1. 100% Abatement of City Ad Valorem taxes for 5 years
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If an applicant applies for a tax abatement agreement with a term of five
years or less this section shall apply.
Abatements for Mixed-Use Development Projects for up to 5 years are
subject to City Council approval. The applicant may apply with the Housing
Department for such abatement.
The applicant must apply for the tax abatement and be approved by City
Council before construction or rehabilitation is started.
In order to be eligible for a property tax abatement, upon completion, a newly
constructed or rehabilitated mixed-use development project in a NEZ must
satisfy the following:
a. Residential uses in the project constitute 20 percent or more of the total
Gross Floor Area of the project; and
b. Office, eating and entertainment, and/or retail sales and service uses in
the project constitute 10 percent or more of the total Gross Floor Area of
the project; and
(1) A mixed-use development project constructed after NEZ
designation must have a minimum Capital Investment of$200,000; or
(2) For a rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated after NEZ
designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall be at
least 30% of the Base Value of the property, or $200,000, whichever
is greater.
2. 1%-100% Abatement of City Ad Valorem taxes up to 10 years
If an applicant applies for a tax abatement agreement with a term of more
than five years, this section shall apply.
Abatements agreements for a Mixed Use Development projects for up to 10
years are subject to City Council approval. The applicant may apply with the
Housing Department for such abatement.
The applicant must apply for the tax abatement before construction or
rehabilitation is started and the application for the tax abatement must be
approved by City Council.
Years 1 through 5 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Mixed Use Development projects shall be eligible for 100% abatement of City
ad valorem taxes for the first five years of the Tax Abatement Agreement
upon the satisfaction of the following:
a. Residential uses in the project constitute 20 percent or more of the total
Gross Floor Area of the project; and
8
b. Office, eating and entertainment, and/or retail sales and service uses in
the project constitute 10 percent or more of the total Gross Floor Area of
the project; and
c. A new mixed-use development project constructed after NEZ designation
must have a minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; or for a
rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated after NEZ designation.
Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall be at least 30% of the
Base Value of the property, or$200,000, whichever is greater.
Years 6 through 10 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Mixed Use Development projects shall be eligible for 1-100% abatement of
City ad valorem taxes for years six through ten of the Tax Abatement
Agreement upon the satisfaction of the following:
a. Residential uses in the project constitute 20 percent or more of the total
Gross Floor Area of the project; and
b. Office, eating and entertainment, and/or retail sales and service uses in
the project constitute 10 percent or more of the total Gross Floor Area of
the project;
c. A new mixed-use development project constructed after NEZ designation
must have a minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; or for a
rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated after NEZ designation.
Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall be at least 30% of the
Base Value of the property, or $200,000, whichever is greater; and
d. Any other terms as City Council of the City of Fort Worth deems
appropriate, including, but not limited to:
1. utilization of Fort Worth companies for an agreed upon percentage
of the total costs for construction contracts;
2. utilization of certified minority and women owned business
enterprises for an agreed upon percentage of the total costs for
construction contracts;
3. property inspection;
4. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Fort Worth residents
5. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Central City
residents
6. landscaping;
7. tenant selection plans; and
8. management plans.
E. ABATEMENT GUIDELINES
1. If a NEZ is located in a Tax Increment Financing District, City Council will
determine on a case-by-case basis if the tax abatement incentives in Section
III will be offered to eligible Projects. Eligible Projects must meet all eligibility
requirements specified in Section Ill.
i,ri r
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2. If a Project is located in the Woodhaven Neighborhood Empowerment
Zone, in order to be considered "eligible" to apply for a tax abatement under
this Policy, the Woodhaven Community Development Corporation and the
Woodhaven Neighborhood Association must have submitted a letter of
support for the Project to the City of Fort Worth
3. In order to be eligible to apply for a tax abatement, the property
owner/developer must:
Not be delinquent in paying property taxes for any property owned by the
owner/developer, except that an owner/developer may enter into a tax
abatement agreement with the city of Fort Worth for a specific Project if:
1. the Project meets NEZ tax abatement criteria; and
2. the applicant is not responsible for the tax delinquency for the Property;
and
3. the applicant enters into an agreement to pay off the taxes under the
guidelines permitted under state law; and
4. the tax abatement shall provide that the agreement shall take effect after
the delinquent taxes are paid in full
Not have any City of Fort Worth liens filed against any property owned by the
applicant property owner/developer. "Liens" include, but are not limited to, weed
liens, demolition liens, board-up/open structure liens and paving liens.
4. Projects to be constructed on property to be purchased under a contract for
deed are not eligible for tax abatements.
5. Once a NEZ property owner of a residential property (including multi-family)
in the NEZ satisfies the criteria set forth in Sections III.A, E.1. and E.2. and
applies for an abatement, a property owner may enter into a tax abatement
agreement with the City of Fort Worth. The tax abatement agreement shall
automatically terminate if the property subject to the tax abatement
agreement is in violation of the City of Fort Worth's Minimum Building
Standards Code and the owner is convicted of such violation.
6. A tax abatement granted under the criteria set forth in Section III. can only be
granted once for a property in a NEZ for a maximum term of as specified in
the agreement. If a property on which tax is being abated is sold, the City will
assign the tax abatement agreement for the remaining term once the new
owner submits an application.
7. A property owner/developer of a multifamily development, commercial,
industrial, community facilities and mixed-use development project in the NEZ
who desires a tax abatement under Sections 111.13, C or D must:
Satisfy the criteria set forth in Sections 111.13, C or D, as applicable, and Sections
III.E.1 E.2; and E3. and
File an application with the Housing Department, as applicable; and
The property owner must enter into a tax abatement agreement with the City of
Fort Worth. In addition to the other terms of agreement, the tax abatement
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agreement shall provide that the agreement shall automatically terminate if
the owner receives one conviction of a violation of the City of Fort Worth's
Minimum Building Standards Code regarding the property subject to the
abatement agreement during the term of the tax abatement agreement; and
If a property in the NEZ on which tax is being abated is sold, the new owner may
enter into a tax abatement agreement on the property for the remaining term.
8. If the terms of the tax abatement agreement are not met, the City Council has
the right to cancel or amend the abatement agreement. In the event of
cancellation, the recapture of abated taxes shall be limited to the year(s) in
which the default occurred or continued.
9. The terms of the agreement shall include the City of Fort Worth's right to: (1)
review and verify the applicant's financial statements in each year during the
life of the agreement prior to granting a tax abatement in any given year, (2)
conduct an on site inspection of the project in each year during the life of the
abatement to verify compliance with the terms of the tax abatement
agreement, (3) terminate the agreement if the Project contains or will contain
a sexually oriented business (4 terminate the agreement, as determined in
City's sole discretion, if the Project contains or will contain a liquor store or
package store.
10. Upon completion of construction of the facilities, the City shall no less than
annually evaluate each project receiving abatement to insure compliance with
the terms of the agreement. Any incidents of non-compliance will be reported
to the City Council.
On or before February 1st of every year during the life of the agreement, any
individual or entity receiving a tax abatement from the City of Fort Worth shall
provide information and documentation which details the property owner's
compliance with the terms of the respective agreement and shall certify that
the owner is in compliance with each applicable term of the agreement.
Failure to report this information and to provide the required certification by
the above deadline shall result in cancellation of agreement and any taxes
abated in the prior year being due and payable.
11. If a property in the NEZ on which tax is being abated is sold, the new owner
may enter into a tax abatement agreement on the property for the remaining
term. Any sale, assignment or lease of the property which is not permitted in
the tax abatement agreement results in cancellation of the agreement and
recapture of any taxes abated after the date on which an unspecified
assignment occurred.
F. APPLICATION FEE
1. The application fee for residential tax abatements governed under
Section III. A is $25.
2. The application fee for multi-family, commercial, industrial, community
facilities and mixed-use development projects governed under Sections III.B.,
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C. and D., is one-half of one percent (0.5%) of the proposed Project's Capital
Investment, not to exceed $1,000. The application fee will be refunded upon
issuance of certificate of final occupancy and once the property owner enters
into a tax abatement agreement with the City. Otherwise, the Application Fee
shall not be credited or refunded to any party for any reason.
IV. FEE WAIVERS
ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS/PROPERTIES
1. City Council shall determine on a case-by-case basis whether a Project that
will contain or contains a liquor store or package store is eligible to apply for a
fee waiver.
2. If a Project is located in the Woodhaven Neighborhood Empowerment Zone,
in order to be considered "eligible" to apply for a fee waiver under this Policy,
the Woodhaven Community Development Corporation and the Woodhaven
Neighborhood Association must have submitted a letter of support for the
Project to the City of Fort Worth.
3. Projects to be constructed on property to be purchased under a contract for
deed are not eligible for development fee waivers.
4. In order for a property owner/developer to be eligible to apply for fee waivers
for a Project, the property owner/developer:
a. must submit an application to the City;
b. must not be delinquent in paying property taxes for any property owned by
the owner/developer or applicant;
c. must not have any City liens filed against any property owned by the
applicant property owner/developer, including but not limited to, weed
liens, demolition liens, board-up/open structure liens and paving liens; and
d. of a Project that will contain or contains a liquor store, package store or a
sexually oriented business has received City Council's determination that
the Project is eligible to apply for fee waivers.
Approval of the application and waiver of the fees shall not be deemed to be
approval of any aspect of the Project. Before construction, the applicant must
ensure that the project is located in the correct zoning district.
B. DEVELOPMENT FEES
Once the Application for NEZ Incentives has been approved and certified by the
City, the following fees for services performed by the City of Fort Worth for
Projects in the NEZ are waived for new construction projects or rehabilitation
projects that expend at least 30% of the Base Value of the property on Eligible
Rehabilitation costs:
1. All building permit related fees (including Plans Review and Inspections)
2. Plat application fee (including concept plan, preliminary plat, final plat,
short form replat) x.27 -,i ; 1 F
M
V''l
n
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3. Board of Adjustment application fee
4. Demolition fee
5. Structure moving fee
6. Community Facilities Agreement (CFA) application fee
7. Zoning application fee
8. Street and utility easement vacation application fee
Other development related fees not specified above will be considered for
approval by City Council on a case-by-case basis.
C. IMPACT FEES
Single family and multi-family residential development projects in the NEZ.
Automatic 100% waiver of water and wastewater impact fees will be applied.
Commercial, industrial, mixed-use, or community facility development projects in
the NEZ.
a. Automatic 100% waiver of water and wastewater impact fees up to
$55,000 or equivalent to two 6-inch meters for each commercial,
industrial, mixed-use or community facility development project.
b. If the project requests an impact fee waiver exceeding $55,000 or
requesting a waiver for larger and/or more than two 6-inch meter, then
City Council approval is required. Applicant may request the additional
amount of impact fee waiver through the Housing Department.
V. RELEASE OF CITY LIENS
A. ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS/PROPERTIES
1. City Council shall determine on a case-by-case basis whether a Project that
will contain or contains a liquor store or package store is eligible to apply for a
fee waiver.
2. If a Project is located in the Woodhaven Neighborhood Empowerment Zone,
in order to be considered "eligible" to apply for release of city liens under this
Policy, the Woodhaven Community Development Corporation and the
Woodhaven Neighborhood Association must have submitted a letter of
support for the Project to the City of Fort Worth.
3. Projects to be constructed on property to be purchased under a contract for
deed are not eligible for any release of City Liens.
4. In order for a property owner/developer to be eligible to apply for a release of
city liens contained in Section V.B., C., D., and E. for a Project, the property
owner/developer:
a. must submit an application to the City;
13
b. must not be delinquent in paying property taxes for any property owned by
the owner/developer;
b. must not have been subject to a Building Standards Commission's Order
of Demolition where the property was demolished within the last five (5)
years;
c. must not have any City of Fort Worth liens filed against any other property
owned by the applicant property owner/developer. "Liens" includes, but is
not limited to, weed liens, demolition liens, board-up/open structure liens
and paving liens; and
d. of a Project that contains or will contain a liquor store, package store or a
sexually oriented business has received City Council's determination the
Project is eligible to apply for release of City liens.
5. In order for a Rehabilitation Project to qualify for a release of city liens, the
owner/developer must spend Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the Property of
at lease 30% of the Base Value of the Property.
B. WEED LIENS
The following are eligible to apply for release of weed liens:
1. Single unit owners performing rehabilitation on their properties.
2. Builders or developers constructing new homes on vacant lots.
3. Owners performing rehabilitation on multi-family, commercial, industrial,
mixed-use, or community facility properties.
4. Developers constructing new multi-family, commercial, industrial, mixed-use
or community facility development projects.
C. DEMOLITION LIENS
Builders or developers developing or rehabilitating a property for a
Project are eligible to apply for release of demolition liens for up to $30,000.
Releases of demolition liens in excess of $30,000 are subject to City Council
approval.
D. BOARD-UP/OPEN STRUCTURE LIENS
The following are eligible to apply for release of board-up/open structure liens:
1. Single unit owners performing rehabilitation on their properties.
2. Builders or developers constructing new single family homes on vacant lots.
3. Owners performing rehabilitation on multi-family, commercial, industrial,
mixed-use, or community facility properties.
4. Developers constructing multi-family, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, or
community facility projects.
E. PAVING LIENS
The following are eligible to apply for release of paving liens:
1. Single unit owners performing rehabilitation on their properties.
14
2. Builders or developers constructing new homes on vacant lots.
3. Owners performing rehabilitation on multi-family, commercial, industrial,
mixed-use, or community facility properties.
4. Developers constructing multi-family, commercial, industrial, mixed-use, or
community facility projects.
VI. PROCEDURAL STEPS
A. APPLICATION SUBMISSION
1. The applicant for NEZ incentives under Sections III. IV., and V. must
complete and submit a City of Fort Worth "Application for NEZ Incentives"
and pay the appropriate application fee to the Housing Department, as
applicable.
2. The applicant for incentives under Sections III.C.2 and D.2 must also
complete and submit a City of Fort Worth "Application for Tax Abatement"
and pay the appropriate application fee to the Economic Development Office.
The application fee, review, evaluation and approval will be governed by City
of Fort Worth Tax Abatement Policy Statement for Qualifying Development
Projects.
B. CERTIFICATIONS FOR APPLICATIONS UNDER SECTIONS III. IV, AND V
1. The Housing Department will review the application for accuracy and
completeness. Once the Housing Department determines that the application
is complete, the Housing Department will certify the property owner/developer's
eligibility to receive tax abatements and/or basic incentives based on the criteria set
forth in Section III., IV., and V. of this policy, as applicable. Once an applicant's
eligibility is certified, the Housing Department will inform appropriate departments
administering the incentives. An orientation meeting with City departments and the
applicant may be scheduled. The departments include:
a. Housing Department: property tax abatement for residential properties
and multi-family development projects, release of City liens.
b. Economic Development Office: property tax abatement for commercial,
industrial, community facilities or mixed-use development projects.
c. Development Department: development fee waivers.
d. Water Department: impact fee waivers.
e. Other appropriate departments, if applicable.
2. Once Development Department, Water Department, Economic Development Office,
and/or other appropriate department receive a certified application from the Housing
Department, each department/office shall fill out a "Verification of NEZ Incentives
for Certified NEZ Incentives Application" and return it to the Housing Department
for record keeping and tracking.
C. APPLICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION FOR APPLICATIONS
1. Property Tax Abatement for Residential Properties and Multi-farnil-
Development Projects �I �, ?
1J 15 u yy;
9
a. For a completed and certified application for no more than five years
of tax abatement, with Council approval, the City Manager shall execute a
tax abatement agreement with the applicant.
b. For a completed and certified multi-family development project
application for more than five years of tax abatement:
(1) T
he Housing Department will evaluate a completed and
certified application based on:
a) The project' s increase in the value of the tax
base.
b) Costs to the City (such as infrastructure
participation, etc. ) .
(c) Percent of construction contracts committed to:
(i) Fort Worth based firms, and
(ii) Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).
(d) Other items which the City and the applicant may negotiate.
(2) Consideration by Council Committee.
Based upon the outcome of the evaluation, Housing Department may
present the application to the City Council's Economic Development
Committee. Should the Housing Department present the application to
the Economic Development Committee, the Committee will consider
the application at an open meeting. The Committee may:
(a) Approve the application. Staff will then incorporate the application
into a tax abatement agreement which will be sent to the City
Council with the Committee's recommendation to approve the
agreement; or
(b) Request modifications to the application. Housing Department
staff will discuss the suggested modifications with the applicant
and then, if the requested modifications are made, resubmit the
modified application to the Committee for consideration; or
(c) Deny the application. The applicant may appeal the Committee's
finding by requesting the City Council to: (a) disregard the
Committee's finding and (b) instruct city staff to incorporate the
application into a tax abatement agreement for future
consideration by the City Council.
(3) Consideration by the City Council
The City Council retains sole authority to approve or deny any tax
abatement agreement and is under no obligation to approve any tax
abatement application or tax abatement agreement. The City of Fort
Worth is under no obligation to provide tax abatement in any amount
or value to any applicant.
c. Effective Date for Approved Agreements
All tax abatements approved by the City Council will become effective on
January 1 of the year following the year in which a Certificate of
Occupancy (CO) is issued for the qualifying development project (unless
16
otherwise specified in the tax abatement agreement). Unless otherwise
specified in the agreement, taxes levied during the construction of the
project shall be due and payable.
2. Property Tax Abatement for Commercial, Industrial, Community Facilities,
and Mixed-Use Development Projects
a. For a completed and certified application for no more than five years of
tax abatement, with Council approval, the City Manager shall execute a
tax abatement agreement with the applicant.
b. For a completed and certified application for more than five years of tax
abatement:
(1) The Economic Development Office will evaluate a completed and
certified application based on:
(a)The project' s increase in the value of the tax
base.
(b) Costs to the City (such as infrastructure participation, etc.).
(c) Percent of construction contracts committed to:
(i) Fort Worth based firms, and
(ii) Minority and Women owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs).
(d) Other items which the City and the applicant may negotiate.
(2) Consideration by Council Committee
Based upon the outcome of the evaluation, the Economic
Development Office may present the application to the City Council's
Economic Development Committee. Should the Economic
Development Office present the application to the Economic
Development Committee, the Committee will consider the application
at an open meeting. The Committee may:
(a) Approve the application. Staff will then incorporate the application
into a tax abatement agreement which will be sent to the City
Council with the Committee's recommendation to approve the
agreement; or
(b) Request modifications to the application. Economic Development
Office staff will discuss the suggested modifications with the
applicant and then, if the requested modifications are made,
resubmit the modified application to the Committee for
consideration; or
(c) Deny the application. The applicant may appeal the Committee's
finding by requesting the City Council to: (a) disregard the
Committee's finding and (b) instruct city staff to incorporate the
application into a tax abatement agreement for future
consideration by the City Council.
(3) Consideration by the City Council
The City Council retains sole authority to approve or deny any tax
abatement agreement and is under no obligation to approve any_tax
abatement application or tax abatement agreement. The C!ty of Fort -
^IU
Worth is under no obligation to provide tax abatement in any amount
or value to any applicant.
c. Effective Date for Approved Agreements
All tax abatements approved by the City Council will become effective on
January 1 of the year following the year in which a Certificate of
Occupancy (CO) is issued for the qualifying development project (unless
otherwise specified in the tax abatement agreement). Unless otherwise
specified in the agreement, taxes levied during the construction of the
project shall be due and payable.
3. Development Fee Waivers
a. For certified applications of development fee waivers
that do not require Council approval, the Development
Department will review the certified applicant' s
application and grant appropriate incentives.
b. For certified applications of development fee waivers
that require Council approval, City staff will review
the certified applicant' s application and make
appropriate recommendations to the City Council .
4. Impact Fee Waiver
a. For certified applications of impact fee waivers that
do not require Council approval, the Water Department
will review the certified applicant' s application and
grant appropriate incentives.
b. For certified applications of impact fee waivers that
require Council approval, the Water Department will
review the certified applicant' s application and make
appropriate recommendations to the City Council.
5. Release of City Liens
For certified applications of release of City liens, the Housing Department will
release the appropriate liens.
VII. REFUND POLICY
In order for an owner/developer of a Project in a NEZ to receive a refund of
development fees or impact fees, the conditions set forth in the Refund of
Development and Impact Fee Policy, attached as Attachment "A", must be
satisfied.
VIII. OTHER INCENTIVES
A. Plan reviews of proposed development projects in the NEZ will be expedited by
the Development Department.
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B. The City Council may add the following incentives to a NEZ in the Resolution
adopting the NEZ:
1. Municipal sales tax refund
2. Homebuyers assistance
3. Gap financing
4. Land assembly
5. Conveyance of tax foreclosure properties
6. Infrastructure improvements
7. Support for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) applications
8. Land use incentives and zoning/building code exemptions, e.g., mixed-use,
density bonus, parking exemption
9. Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
10. Public Improvement District (PID)
11. Tax-exempt bond financing
12. New Model Blocks
13. Loan guarantees
14. Equity investments
15. Other incentives that will effectuate the intent and purposes of NEZ.
IX. Public Notification
a. Subject to subsection (b), in order for an owner/developer to apply to receive any
incentives provided for under the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, an
owner/developer must meet with the following persons and organizations to discuss the
Proj ect:
1. the Council Member for the District the Project is located; and
2. the neighborhood associations or community based organizations registered with
the city in the NEZ the Project is located.
b. Subsection(a) shall be satisfied upon:
1. the owner/developer meeting with the City Council Member for the District the
Project is located and the neighborhood associations or community based
organizations registered with the city in the NEZ the Project is located; or
2. meeting with the City Council Member for the District the Project is located and
upon the owner/developer providing proof that the owner/developer attempted to
meet with the neighborhood associations and the community based organizations
registered with the city in the NEZ the Project is located and the associations or
organizations failed to arrange a meeting with the owner/developer within two
weeks of initial contact.
X. Ineligible Projects
The following Projects or Businesses shall not be eligible for any incentives under the City'
of Fort Worth's Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ) Tax Abatement Policy
and Basic incentives:
1. Sexually Oriented Businesses
2. Non-residential mobile structures
19
i ••
ATTACHMENT A
REFUND OF DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACT FEES POLICY
Purpose
This refund policy is for the purpose of establishing the conditions under which the City
may refund development and impact fees, normally waived through the Neighborhood
Empowerment Zone (NEZ).
Applicability
Unless expressly excepted, this policy applies to all development and impact fees waived
by the City through the NEZ.
Under the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, City Departments are
authorized to waive impact and development fees for qualified projects located in a
designated NEZ. The impact fees include only water and sewer impact fees, up to
$55,000 for commercial, industrial, mixed-use or community facilities projects. The
development fees that can be waived through the NEZ include:
1. All building permit fees (including Plans Review and Inspections)
2. Plat application fee (including concept plan, preliminary plat, final plat, short
form replat)
3. Board of Adjustment application fee
4. Demolition fee
5. Structure moving fee
6. Community Facilities Agreement (CFA) application fee
7. Zoning application fee
8. Street and utility easement vacation application fee.
To take advantage of these waivers, applicants need to obtain a certification letter from
the Housing Department.
Conditions for Refunds
The City will consider refunds only when circumstances beyond the developers control
prevent them from obtaining the qualification letter from the Housing Department.
A property owner and/or developer may qualify for a refund if the proposed development
project meets all criteria to receive a fee waiver under the NEZ Tax Abatement and Basic
Incentives Policy and:
a. The owner and/or developer was not made aware of the NEZ incentives at the
time the fees were paid; or
b. The owner and/or developer was mistakenly told that his/her property was not in a
designated NEZ; or
20 z7
c. The owner and/or developer has put funds in an escrow account with a City
Department while awaiting a decision from the City Council about his/her project;
or
d. City Council authorizes a City Department to issue a refund to the
owner/developer.
Refund Charge
A refund charge will be assessed to help defray administration cost associated with the
processing of refund check. The charge shall be 20% of the amount of the refund. This
charge will be automatically deducted from the total refund amount.
Statute of Limitations
Any request, action or proceeding concerning the refund of fees normally waived through
the NEZ must be filed within ninety days following the date that the fees were paid. An
applicant who does not submit a refund request within 90 days of the transaction shall not
qualify for a refund.
To obtain a refund the applicant needs to:
• submit a NEZ application to the Housing Department for determination of the
eligibility for NEZ fee waivers, and
• submit a written request to the Department in which the fees were paid. Upon
receiving a confirmation from the Housing Department that the project meets all NEZ
fee waiver criteria, that Department shall process the request based on the
qualifications discussed in this policy.
Exemptions
The provisions of this policy do not apply to:
a. Fees that are not waived through the NEZ program; and
b. Taxes and special assessments; and
c. City liens such as mowing, board-up, trash, demolition, and paving liens.
An applicant shall not qualify for any refund if-
a. The applicant was made aware of the NEZ incentives before he/she pays the fees;
or
b. The applicant does not meet the requirements for NEZ incentives at the time
he/she paid the fees; or
c. The applicant paid the fees before the refund policy was put in place; or
d. The applicant paid the fees before the designation date of the NEZ.
Disclaimer
In the event of any conflict between the City's ordinances or regulations and this policy,
such ordinances or regulations shall control. In the event of any conflict between this
21
policy and other policies or regulations adopted by the City Department issuing the
refund, such department policies or regulations shall control. The City reserves the right
to deny any or all request for refunds.
22
EXHIBIT B
5929 Blackmore Avenue
Block 412, Lots 15 &16, Chamberlain Arlington Heights 2nd Addition
EXHIBIT C
FORT WORTH
Nlw"�
Appli,abm Nu,
CITY OF FORTWORTH
NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERIMENT ZOINE (NEZ) PROGX.-,-,.vl
PROJf,CT CERTIFICATION APPLICATION
FORNI 8 FOR INVESTOR O%VNLR-S(SINGLE FAMIL V ONLY J
APPLICATION C)If:(''X LIST
tLbrrzt prupuny rt;quv%tcrd:
A a,ornpxtcd form
A list of al propialics uw-tcd by the zpplicart in Fu Wortli
Applicaton fec 01 S'25.00per hoc w -fcxJ._r',. ,:hcck oT-monex ordt- pas�vu'-!c tc-the C-v
of Fart WoMi(for tax abatement applications only)
Proof of uwnet'A:t p, st;,:h as a 'A'ti":"anly A.'Td2viz of lx"-3h:r" ot a pro�azed wil: OR
:vi lest c of' sztz zoauc l, su,:h aL, �,p,or 'o '-u;, (A registered warrant), deed must l*
submitted for tax abatement application.)
of thltp-Qn= y(only if applying for release of City Hens)
A=np]c-r.,-'sct ol'Jcvtlopmncr,t plat),ptojcci dcscnption and devc1lopmCnt budge:0-
Support 'ctl= from wuodhaver. Ncqfl:borhoo,� _Associatkrn-xvsd-Woodb*-cn CL%mzm:z tv
Develow*nctil Cotpma:iun(for projects located inWoodhavto NEz0n1v_1 -"%
I NCOMPLETE APPIACAlKYNN' U-ILL NM' M, PROCESSED FOR CERTIFICATION UNI'H_ ALL
RFQUIRED DOC-1'1- FNIS sHOWN IN THE, ABOtt, CIMCKLIST ARC: SURVII'l-I'L) WITHIN ;0
DAYS At-TER THE APPLI(Al ION IS RECUTM),
i(WNILS1 APPLY FOR TAX AFA11MLYULFORE ANY IIIJILLING PkR-NIITN ARE: F(R
Y0tR PROPERTY NNO I3EV0kANY
INIPROVEMENTS ARE MAUI' "I0 YOUlt PROPERTY.
1. Applicant iAGENT INVOKMAMN
I Applicant: Contact Person;
3. Address:
Street City state Zip
4. Phone no.: Fax No.: L
6. Email:
f. Agen I(it any)
S. Address:
Esters City slatc Zip
9. Phone no.., 10. Fax No..-
11. Email:
fy"uu u" further information or clarificafiaxi, please contact Jamie 'Warner at (817) 391-1-7507 or
Sarah Odle at(817)392-7316.
EXHIBIT C
FORT NORTH
11L PROPERTY ELIGIBILITY
1. Please list down the addresses and te=al descriptions of the property where you are appl ing
for NEZ Incentives and other property you own in Fort Worth. Attach metes and to ds
description if no address or legal description is available.
Table 1 Property Ownership
j Address Zip Legal Description
I
Code su"Vision Lot No. Block
' ('Project Location)
a
R
(Pleon attach additional sheets of paper as needed.)
2. For each properties listed in Table 1,please check the bola below to indicate if.
• thistle are taxes due;or
• them are City liens;or
• you have been subject to a Building Standards Commission's girder of Demolition when
property was detnolisheod within the last five years.
Table 2 Property Taxes and City Liens
Address Property City Liens on Property
Taxes weed Board-vpA3pea Desnotttlion Paving order of
j Due Liens Stucture liens IA*m Liens Devoolit-fiec
LJ
1
I i
{ 1
1
(PUM"atta+cb additional sheets of paper as needed.)
3. Do you own other properties under other names? ❑Yes Q No
If Yes,please specify
4. Does the proposed development conform with City of Fort Worth Zoning? [Yea Q
S. Is this property under a contract for deed? []Yea X No
2 -
2
EXHIBIT C
Urt NORTH
6. Are yon planning for new construction or rehab?
O'New Construction total ❑Rc ab
9. How much is the total development cost?
S. if it is a rehab property,will the eligible rehabilitation work* done on the property equal to
at least 301/a of the Tarrant Appraisal District(TAD)assessed value of the structure duri g
the year rehabilitation(remodeled)occurre;i? 0 Yes ❑No
•EUVbk rehabilitation includes mly physical uWsovanwis to rat pro;=ty. It does NOT xKbulc pasonal
pfrpeny tech as fufuitwe.aWmcu,ewq=eK for wpphm.Total e4 bit xbOahmon oub$lap q-tal to
Of C 30%of the TAD appraised Yalta o(Ox vrucnvfo dam the yew abab9aanon oann.
!. How much is the total square footage of your property? square fed
IV. INCE.INTMS
1.Mot incentives are you applying for?
0,Munif Pronern°Tax Abatements
Development Fee Walye-0
All building permit related fees(including Plans Review and motions)
Plat application fee(including oontxx plan,preliminary plat,final plat,shoat farm mplat l
Board of Aei jumnent application(cc
❑ Demolition fee
❑ Struct=moving fee
❑ C xnmunity pacilitics Agreement(CFA)appliation fee
❑ 7.ortiAS applicatimt fee
❑ Street and Utility cam new vacation appl"irtst fee
Impact Fee WAiyers
Q lac fee waiver
Meter Size How many meters?
Release of City Liens
[� Weed liens
❑ Board up(opem structure liens
❑ Demmlition liens
[] Paving liens
3
EXHIBIT C
FORT WORTH
V. ACKNOVVLEDGMF—N7S
I hmby ca*that 1ht infaunatma provided is true and accurate to the beg of my knowle4ge, I be by
ackaowledge that I have received a copy of NEZ basic IncetWves, which governs the granting ol tax
abaftnenu, let waivers and release of City liens,and that any VIOLATION of the terms of the I IEZ
Basic motives or MISPLEPRZSENTATION shall constitute grounds for r*cdw of an application i or
ternwation of incentimat the discretion of the City.
1 understand that the approval of fee waivets and other imentives"I not be deemed to be approvi,I of
any =poct of the pro ea I understand that I am responsible in obtaining required permits l ind
inspoctions fim the City and in ensuring the project is located in the contact toning diarict-
I understand that my application will not be processed it it is incomplete. I a0me to provide any
allitiomi infonration for detcrtmining cli i il' as reqUe A by the City.
DA&U 5k4f
(TYPED NAME) (AUTHORMED SIGNATURE)
or
77
C1 Tit"
0 —
v4l, sy
1000 Tkrockii��, tm�i a'morthM J 62
(811)392-1326
Electronic versus of this form is available by requesL Plft"call 917-392-7507 to requca a copy. For
nuxt inkmation on the NEZ Pmgmn,plem visit our web site at v*-vmJortworthCo,-,.*rVb*us1 rkg
For Office Use Only
Application No.It JI- Qnxocil District
_Pgak wtwh NW in
Applicaum Completed Date(Received Daft) ft— — 'ithZaing? tRyefts
TAD 11) CC61�L Cwt four deed? OYes 214o Type 5JI3ew construction ❑Re
Coonstruction completion date? ❑Before NEZ Xi After NEZ 0amership 12 Yes ❑
Rehab at or hiSher than 30%7 ❑Yes ❑No Consistent with the NEZ plan? CR Yes ❑
Tax current on this propW Yes No Tax current on other properties? ❑Yet ❑
City liens on this properv? City liras on other properties?
• Weed liens ❑Yes (9 No • Weed liens ❑Yes CON
• Bmd.*qm shvcun liens ❑Yes S No • Board-upiopen smicoirt liars [033 Yes izz
• Dernolition liens ❑Yes No • Demlition liens ❑Yes (o )
• Paving hens ❑Yes No • Paying hens ❑ytS 19N)
• Order of demolition ❑Yes ER No • Order of demolition ❑Yes N)
Catfied? �Yes ❑No Certified by Date certification WAsed? :;-Zzf
If not oertified,rcason
Referred to. ❑Uoaormc Developts"t ❑14oumS CDM*mmt ❑WAW C)Code C--M
Reviso;l Februwy 16,2004
EXHIBIT D
Single-family detached house
Slab Foundation
1280 Sq. Ft.
3 Bedrooms
2 Baths
2 Car Garage
Covered Patio
1
City of Fort Worth, Texas
Mayor and Council Communication
COUNCIL ACTION: Approved on 4/20/2004
DATE: Tuesday, April 20, 2004
LOG NAME: 05DSNEED REFERENCE NO.: C-20038
SUBJECT:
Approval of Tax Abatement Agreement with Danny Sneed for a Property Located in the
Ridglea/Como Neighborhood Empowerment Zone at 5929 Blackmore Avenue
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Approve a five-year Municipal Property Tax Abatement for a property located at 5929 Blackmore
Avenue owned by Danny Sneed in the Ridglea/Como Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ); and
2. Find that the statements set forth in the recitals of the attached Tax Abatement Agreement (the
Agreement)with Danny Sneed are true and correct; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Tax Abatement Agreement with Danny Sneed for 5929
Blackmore Avenue in the Ridglea/Como NEZ in accordance with the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic
Incentives.
DISCUSSION:
Danny Sneed is the owner of the property at 5929 Blackmore Avenue (Chamberlain Arlington Heights Block
412, Lots 15 and 16). The property is located in the Ridglea/Coma NEZ and Neighborhood Empowerment
Reinvestment Zone (NERZ No. 2). Danny Sneed applied for a five-year municipal property tax abatement
under the NEZ Basic Incentives (M&C G-13208R, M&C G-13580, and M&C G-13662, as amended). The
Housing Department has reviewed the application and certified that the property meets the eligibility criteria
to receive NEZ municipal property tax abatement. The NEZ Basic Incentives offers a five-year municipal
property tax abatement on the increased value of improvements to the qualified owner of any new home
constructed within a NEZ.
Danny Sneed will invest $92,000 to construct a single-family home in the Ridglea/Como NEZ. A
description of the home to be constructed is attached as Exhibit "A." The Agreement is attached as Exhibit
#1B
Upon execution of the Agreement, the total assessed value of the home used for calculating municipal
property tax will be frozen for a five-year period, starting on January 1, 2004, at the pre-improvement value
as defined by the Tarrant Appraisal District (TAD) on January 1, 2003, as follows:
Pre-improvement TAD Value of Improvements $ 0.00
Pre-improvement Estimated Value of Land $ 2,500
Total Pre-improvement Estimated Value $ 2,500
The municipal property tax on the improved value of the home after its construction is estimated at $557.06
per year, for a total of$2,785.30 over the five year period. However, this estimate may be different from the
Logname: 05DSNEED Page 1 of 2
actual tax abatement value which will be calculated based on the Tarrant Appraisal District appraised value
of the property.
The tax abatement agreement provides that the agreement may be assigned without subsequent City
Council approval to Danny Sneed's first mortgagee, or to a homeowner who will use the required
improvements as his/her primary residence or the homeowner's mortgagee. All other assignments must
be approved by the City Council.
FISCAL IN FORMATION/CERTIFICATION:
The Finance Director certifies that this action will have no material effect on City funds.
TO Fund/Account/Centers FROM Fund/Account/Centers
Submitted for City Manager's Office by: Reid Rector (6140)
Originating Department Head: Jerome Walker (7537)
Additional Information Contact: Jerome Walker (7537)
Logname: 05DSNEED Page 2 of 2