HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 36964CONTR CT NO 9 V
TAX ABATEMENT AGREEMENT FOR PROPERTY LOCATED
NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE
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 Dale
Fisseler, its duly authorized Assistant City Manager, and Waterview Estates, L.P. ("Owner"), a
Texas Limited Partnership by and between Pars Investments, Inc. L.P., a Texas Limited
Partnership, General Partner, and Woodhaven Custom Homes, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company
General Partner, acting by and through Mark Johns, its duly authorized President.
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 zones 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 May 15, 2007 (M&C G45726). The May
15, 2007 NEZ Incentives are attached hereto as Exhibit "A" hereby made a part of the
Agreement for all purposes.
03-28-08 A08�35 IN
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 February 3, 2004, the Fort Worth City Council adopted Ordinance No. 15854
(the "Ordinance") establishing "Neighborhood Empowerment Reinvestment
Zone No. 16," City of Fort Worth, Texas (the "Zone").
F. Owner owns certain real property located entirely within the Lake Arlington NEZ
ribed in Exhibit "B", attached hereto and hereby
and that is more particularly desc
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 for as a single-family
residence that will be owner occupied. (the "Project").
H. On August 13, 2004, Owner submitted an application for NEZ incentives and an
application 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
Resolution and other applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations.
J. The City Council finds that 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 each lot within the Premises
for which tax abatements are requested, certain improvements consisting of a single-
family residence (collectively, the "Required Improvements"), of at least 1200 square
feet of living space in size with 3 bedrooms and one and one-half baths, with 70%
mortared brick and having an appraised value of $80,000.001 as determined by an
independent appraiser (collectively, the "Req Juri e RImprovements"), ed Imp oOwner Improvements before the
provide a survey of the completed home sho g q
home is sold and a copy of the independent hall be appraisal s art of thfter the is Agreement) andle. The parties shall hallhbe
the final survey and independent appraisals p
labeled Exhibit E. Minor variations, and m �r in the Required Improvemente substantial variations if s from the
writing by both of the parties to this Agreement,itute an
description provided in the Application for
Abatement
the conditionsnot
n the first sentenceeof
of Default, as defined in Section 4.1, provided that
this Section 1.1 are met and the Required Improvements are used for the purposes and in
the manner described in Exhibit D .
Owner covenants to substantially complete construction of all of the Required
Ipermi
mprovements within one year from the issuance and receipt of hich case the two yearseshall be extended
unless delayed because of force majeure, in wof this
by the number of days comprising the specific force a eure. s �easoableuoses control,
Agreement, force majeure shall mean an evebeyondny
including, without limitation, delays caused be nmental authority,adverse weather, )elays or acts of God fiin receipt of res,
required permits or approvals from any gov shortages as
strikes, national disasters, wars, riots and
n its material oleor adiscretionbor tl whichons dshall of be
determined by the City of Fort Worth
t shall not include construction
indelays caused the due to purely unreasonably withheld, buof adequate
financial matters, such as, without limitation, delays
financing.
1.3. Use of Premises.
Owner covenants that the Required Improvements shall be constructed and the
Pimary resi
remises shall be sold so that of the
it is continuously of the Proused as hectrset forth in theidenceExhibit
Home Buyer in accordance with the descriptionthe Required
In addition, Owner covenants that throughout the Term,
Ihe purposes
mprovements shall be operated and maintaset forth in this
i ed ith the for teneral purposes of encourageing
Agreement and in a manner that is consistent w g
development or redevelopment of the Zone.
2.
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.
2At Amount of Abatement.
The actual amount of the Abatement granted under this Agreement shall be
based upon the increase in value of the Premises and the Required Improvements over
their values on January 1, 2007, the year in which this Agreement was entered into:
One Hundred percent (100%) of the increase in value from the
construction of the Required Improvements.
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. Term of Abatement.
The term of the Abatement ("Term") shall begin on January 1 of the year
following the calendar year in which a Required Improvement is sold to a Home
Bits primary residence ("Beginning Date") and, unless sooner
uyer to be used as
terminated as herein provided, shall end on December 31 immediately preceding
the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Beginning Date. Upon the sale to a Home Buyer,
City shall certify that the Required Improvements have been completed in
satisfaction of the terms of the agreement. However, the Compliance Auditing
Term will begin on the date this agreement is executed and will end on the
expiration fate of the Term.
2.4. Protests Over Appraisals or assessmeuw.
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 Abatement application
be of $25.00 per single family house. The application fee shall not be credited or refunded
to any party for any reason.
t�
3.1. Inspection of Premises.
Between the execution date of this Agreement and the last day of the Term, at any
he Required Improvements time during construction of tmt
reaso
able
accesfollowing s tothe Premises nnotice
n order for
to Owner, the City shall have and Owner shallprovide
the City to inspect the Premises and evaluate the Required Improvements to ensure
and conditions and/or egaluation. Owner shall cooperate
compliance with the terms
fully with the City during any such inspection
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 ecerigt taudit at the City's expense the
fications listed in Exhibit D. Owner must
Required Improvement with respects to the sp
provide documentation that Owner is using the Required Improvements as its primary
Term
residence (collectively, the "Records") at any i duri Owner shallng the Cm i male a pliance llting applicable
in order to determine compliance with thisAgreement.
Records available to the City on the Premise hall other cation in the City following
aotherw se lc000perate fully with the
and s City
reasonable advance notice by 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 the City, es Ownall provide information and
compl compliance with each oft e
documentation for the previous yearr t that address Owner
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.
ting Term, the
On or before August 1 of each year during actual annualCompliance percentages of Abatement
City shall make a decision and rule on the
ing year of the Abatementsgrantedhll t
ify owner of such
available to Owner for the followfor as given year of
decision and ruling. The actual percentage of t
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 Term.
4, EVENTS OF DEFAULT.
4.1. Defined.
if
f this Unless otherwise specified herein, Owner shall
be in t
as definedn Section 1 11e (i) ad
Owner fails to construct the Required Improvements
with respect to the Premises or the
on thet,
or its advalorem
valorem real property taxes Premise , become
taxes with respect to the tangible personal p p y located
delinquent and Owner does not timely and properly follow
personal property taxesedures for or
st
or
and/or contest of any such ad valorem real property r
MISES AS PRIMARY
(iii) HOME BUYER DOES NOT USE GINSP iivv )HOME BUYER DOES
RESIDENCE ONCE THE ABATEMENT BE
NOT COMPLY WITH CHAPTER 7 AND ORTHAPPEN(collectively, each
IX B OF Ean "Event nO°
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT W
Default").
4,2. Notice to Cure.
Subject to Section 5, if the City determines descr bes the nature an Event of Default
the Eventof
the City shall provide a written notice to Owner that
Default. Owner shall have ninety (90) calendEvent ofdays rom the Default. date If receipt of this reasonably
written notice to fully cure or have cured the
believes that Owner will require additional time to iure the after advisnng tt ofheeCitytCouncil n an
promptly notify the City in writing, in which case ( ) eighty
open meeting of Owner's efforts and intent to cure,0 fe Batten not ee or ( ) if Owner
(180) calendar days from the original date of receipt
reasonably believes that Owner will require more Coun �l n aan open meetinne hundred eighty g of Owner's
cure the Event of Default, after advising the City
efforts and intent to cure, such additional time, if any, as may be offered by the City
Council in its sole discretion.
4.3.
If an Event of Default which is defined in Sectioghe.ClL
has h 11 havecther ghhto
the time frame specifically allowed under Section 4. , Y
terminate this Agreement immediately. Owner acknowledges and
arees that an and redevelopmentuncured
Event of Default will (i) harm the City s economic
efforts on the Premises and in the vicinity of the Premises; vlveme t by the Cirequire ty,
and (iii)
expensive additional administrative oversight and
otherwise harm the City, and Owner agrees thatIt oreim impual damages there
ossible t ats of scertain. Therefore,
from are speculative in nature and will be difficult p
upon termination of this Agreement for any Eveand oof Default5 wner shall pay theer shall
ty,not
asb qu dated
for the Abatement for the remaining Term and
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 to in
ate 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.
4.5. Sexually oriented Business &Liquor Sto
a, Owner understands and agrees the City has the right to terminate this
agreement if the Project contains or will contain a sexually oriented business.
b. Owner understands and agrees that the City has the right to terminate this
agreement as determined in City's sole discretion if the Project contains or will contain a
liquor store or package store.
5, EFFECT OF SALE OF PREMISES.
Except for an assignment to Woodhaven Homes, L.P., or any other builder or
developer approved by the Housing Department Director, or 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, this Abatement cannot be
assigned 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
in writing to assume all terms and conditions of Owner under
proposed purchaser agrees
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
ed
constitute grounds for termination of this Agreemen notch from the City t and the Abatement grant
Ownerreunder
following ten (10) calendar days of receipto
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 nder this the written tof City Council, Owner
shall have no further duty or obligationagreement.
THE FAILURE OF OWNER TO SEND THE CITY NOTIFICATION OF THE
SALE OF THE REQUIRED IMPROVEMENTS THE NEW OWNER WITHIN 30
ASSIGNMENT OF THIS AGREEMENT
DAYS OF THE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP OF THE REQUIRED
IMPROVEMENTS SHALL RESULT IN MUON OF ST BE
THIS AGREEMENT. THE NOTICE AND EXECUTED ASSIGNMENT
SENT TO THE CITY BY CERTIFIED MAIL OR BY HAND DELIVERY.
(,. NOTICES.
All written notices called for or required by this Agreement shall be addressed to
the following, or such other party or address a either party designates in writing, by
certified mail, postage prepaid, or by hand Y
City:
City of Fort Worth
Attn: City Manager
1000 Throckmorton St.
Fort Worth, TX 76102
and
Housing Department
Attn: Jerome Walker
1000 Throckmorton
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Owner:
Waterview Estates, L.P.
Pars Investment, Inc., General Partner
3901 Airport Freeway, Suite 200
Bedford, TX 76021
�, MISCELLANEOUS.
7,1, Bonds.
ll not be financed by taxin Cement bonds. Thi
The Required Improvements wits
f outstanding bonds of y
Agreement is subject to rights of holders o
7,2. Conflicts of Interest.
y this
Neither the Premises nor any of the Required f the City any membets covered r the
Agreement are owned or leased by any memberY
mmission or any member of the governing body of any taxing
City Planning or Zoning Co
units in the Zone.
7,3, Conflicts Between Documents.
City
In the event of any conflict between the zordinances,
or regulationsother
ha 1
ordinances or regulations, and this Agreement, such ordinances
control. In the event of any conflict between the body of this Agreement and Exhibit
"D", the body of this Agreement shall control.
7.4. Future Application.
le
and/or Required
as a result of existing lawents may be or
A portion or all of the Premises or
for complete or partial exemption from ad valorem to
dence that such
future legislation. This Agreement shall not be construed as evi
rov meets
exemptions do not apply to the Premises and/or Required Im p
7,5, CRY Council Authorization.
This Agreement was authorized by the
Council
2l,through
007, which, other her
al of Mayor
and Council Communication No.0 22333 0
things, authorized the City Manager to execute this Agreement on behalf of the City.
7,6. Estoppel Certificate.
may request an estoppel certificate from another party hereto so
Any party hereto
ificate is requested in connect
long as the certion d to the Ownler, s halless incplude� but not
certificate, which if requested will be addressed
necessarily be limited to, statements that this �'he nature of the Eventgreement is in full oof Default effect
and
without default (or if an Event of Default exists, of this
curative action taken and/or necessary to effect a curhe Abatementein effect,aininand su h other
Agreement, the levels and remaining term of t
matters reasonably requested by the party or parties to receive the certificates.
7,7, Owner Standin .
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 State icies of the City. Venue for any
theate District Court of Tarrant County, Texas.
action under this Agreement shall lie in th
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. Severabili .
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. Head in¢s 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
nex y bothted inarties a e
approved by the City Council. This AgreementY
counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original, but all of which shall
constitute one instrument.
EXECUTED this V� day of
, 2008, by the City of Fort Worth,
Texas,
20085 by Waterview Estates, L.P.,
EXECUTED this day of
Pars Investment, Inc., General Partner.
CITY OF FORT
By:
ATTEST:
TH:
City Manager
By: y
Mehrdad Moayedi
President
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
By:
Charlene Sanders
Assistant City Attorney
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF TARRANT §
a
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared
Aatffig- Assistant City Manager of the CITY OF FORT WORTH, a municipal corporation,
known to me to be the person and officer whosthe actame ls subscribed to the foregoing of the said CITY OF FORTnWORTH,
and acknowledged to me that the same was
TEXAS, a municipal corporation, that he was duly authorized to perform the same by
appropriate Mayor and Council Communication of leCtyf °thell of the City of Fort Worth
purposes and consde at on
and that he executed the same as the act of the saidy
therein expressed and in the capacity therein stated.
AND SEAL OF OFFICE this day of
GTEN UNDER MY HAND
. 2008.
3 NOTARY PUBLIC
o ry Public in and for �, a STATE OF TEXAS
N
�4 -
the State of Texas<'� of 1� My com, i`tx��.12 14 2009
Notary's Printed Name
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF TARRANT §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally Investments,appeared
pr Inc..Gene al Partner,
Waterview Estates, L.P., a Texas Limited Partnership,
known to me to be the person whose name is s fosc hed u o the purposes foregoing
regand considerationi roseinstrument
therein
acknowledged to me that he executed the same p
ity therein stated and as the act and
Partner.
of Waterview Estates, L.P., a
expressed, in the capac
Texas Limited Partnership, Pars Inyestment, Inc., General
IVEN UNDER MY HAND AND
D„ , 2008.
Notary public in and for
the State of Texas
Notary's Printed Name
of
SEAL OF OFFICE this day
�"p"`,� LAURA WA(LAND
r
My Commission Expires
July 14, 2008
Exhibit A: NEZ Incentives
Exhibit Be Property Description
Exhibit Co Application: (NEZ) Incentives and Tax Abatement
including kind, number and location of the proposed
Exhibit D: Project description
improvements.
Exhibit E: Final Survey and Independent Appraisal
Exhibit A
CITY OF FORT WORTH
NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT ZONE (NEZ) TAX ABATEMENT POLICY AND BASIC
NEIGHB INCENTIVES
Cha ter 378 of the Texas Local Government Code allows m mimes lily tocreate
eate a
p when a ... murn p y
Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ)
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; public safety provided to
(3) an increase in the quality of social services, education, or p y p
residents of the zone; or
(4) the rehabilitation of affordable housing in the zone.p
The City, by adopting the following NEZ Tax Abatement hborhoolicy an Empowerment Zonesl
promote affordable housing and economic development in Nei
glution
NEZ incentives will not be granted after the NEZ expires efin aded ditional therms resoand ndesig a ias
the NEZ. For each NEZ, the City Council mayapprove
permitted by Chapter 378 of the Texas Local Gheeexnirati eent xpiration NEZ shall carry or by City llits full uterm
However, any tax abatement awarded before t b pthe City Council.
according to its tax abatement agreement approvedY
As mandated by state law, the property ert 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 Wort
to approve any tax abatement application.
II. DEFINITIONS
"Abatement" means the full or partial exe ears and an amount f uup o�100% of the ncrease en
eligible properties for a period of up to 10 y ro riate county appraisal district)
appraisedtax roll of the appropriate
value (as reflected on the certified p
he execution of the tax abatement agreement.
resulting from improvements begun after t
Eligible properties must be located in the NEZ.
"Base Value„ property, excluding land, as determined by the Tarrant County
is the value of the
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.
"Capital Investment" includes only real property improvements such as new facilities and
and facility modernization. Capital Investment
structures, site improvements, facility expansion, ertal Inpropertyt
does NOT include land acquisition costs and/or
any existing
improvements, or p
(such as machinery, equipment, and/or supplies
Adopted 5-15-2007
1
"City of Fort Worth Tax Abatement Policy Statement" means the policy adopted by City Council
on February 29, 2000.
"Commercial/industrial Development project"striallsfacilit faciopment lities property,ect that is (ormeets to
the
construct or rehabilitate commercial/indu
requirements to be) zoned commercial, industrial or mixed use as defined by the City of Fort
Worth Zoning Ordinance.
ich proposes
"Community Facility Development Project" is a development
such use as defined byhtthe City of
or rehabilitate community facilities o construct
on property
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 dimenons
tiesorofthe
storage, bui d ing at each floor
level, except that portion of the basement used only for
ithin
the building used for off-street parking.
"Minimum Building Standards Code" is Article IV of
and he Fort Worth City Code adopted pursuant
to Texas Local Government Code, Chapter
s 54"Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)" and "Women Bon se esEhertrprise a certified ) is a MBE on certified
owned business that has receivnority or
ed certificate
Certification
WBE by either the North Texas Regional fication Agency (NTRCA) or the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDot), Highway Division.
"Mixed -Use Development Project" is a development project constitute hich 20 proposes
for onstrmoreoftth r
rehabilitate mixed -use facilities in which residential uses const percent
total gross floor area, and office, eating otal and
rentertainment,
floor arrea and/ sr ont property that is (or meets
constitute 10 percent or more of the ail sales and service uses
gossZoning
the requirements to be) zoned mixed -use as described by the City of Fort Worth Zoni
Ordinance.
oses to
"Multi -family Development Project" is a development s on hmeeprops the requirements to
nstruct or
rehabilitate multi -family residential living property that is (o
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."
"Reinvestment Zone" is an area designated as suchby the city
of Fort
Worthhapter i of therdance
with the Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act codified
Texas
Tax Code, or an area designated as an enterprise Gove nment Codeuant to the Texas Enterprise Zone
Act, codified in Chapter 2303 of the Texas
nl.
A.
L�
RESIDENTIAL
YEARS
PROPERTIES LOCATED IN A NEZ- FULL ABATEMENT FOR 5
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. after NEZ
c. Homeowner must perform Eligible Rehabilitation on the property
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; residence of the homeowner.
b. Property is owner -occupied and is the primary of
Homeowner shall provide proof noof owner
d shall show ship bproof of y a r primary anty edres den residence by
heirship, or a probated will, a
homestead exemption;shall be
c. For rehabilitated property, Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the propertyThe seller or
equal to or in excess of 30% of the Base Value of the property.
owner shall provide the o idefnquentlon to statusupport when the abateme abatementlitation costs;
is
d. Property is not m
submitted; and
e. Property is in conformance with the City of Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance.
3. For investor owned single familyproperty, 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;
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.
MULTI -FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED IN A NEZ
1 '; 00% Abatement for 5 years.
Vj
less this section span apply.
Adopted 5-15-2007
r up
o 5
are
Abatements for multi -family development projectsavfith thet Hous ngsDepartmenttfoor
City Council approval. The applicant may apply
such abatements
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 multi -family development project in a NEZ must satisfy
the following:
At least twenty percent (20%) of the total units constructed Housing or 'land Urban shall
be affordable (as defined by the U. S.
Department opercent an of area
Development) to persons with incomes at or below eighty p
median income based on ° family size
median s ncome'tasshall be set aside defined by the UfSr
persons at or below 80 /o of
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 developme pfi�1e ctpresident al after E livingunits designation,
OR haveha
project must provide at least(5 )
minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; or ust be rehabilitated after NEZ
sss
(b) For a rehabilitation project, the property roperty shall be at least
Such designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs Eli ible Rehabilitation costs
30% of the Base Value of the property. presidential living units or
must come from the rehabilitation of at least five (5)
a minimum Capital Investment of $200,000.
ears this section snap appw.
Abatements for multi -family development projects With theoHous Housing Department for
City Council approval. The applicant may apply
such abatement.
The applicant must apply I for the tax abatement and be approved by City Council
before construction or rehabilitation is started.
VCity ad orem taxes
%IF
Years 1 through 5 of the i ax Huaici � ��l IL
��• •-• -
Multi -family projects shall of the Tax Abatem°e°nt Ag eementf upon the saltisfaction of
for years one through five
the following:
At least twenty percent (200/() of the Jots units
Departmentconstructed Housing rehabilitated
and Urban
shallbe affordable (as defined by theof area
Development) to persons with incomes at or below eighty percent ( 80% )
median income based on family size and such units shall be set aside for
Adopted 5-15-2007
4
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 n after NEZ designation,havea
h
project must provide at, least five (5) residentialg units
minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; or
ust be rehabilitated after NEZ
b. For a rehabilitation project, the property erty shall a at least
designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the Such Eligible Rehabilitation costs
30% of the Base Value of the property. 9
tion of at least five (5) residential living units or
must come from the rehabilita
a minimum Capital Investment of $200,000.
Years 6 throuah 10 of the Tax Abatement Agreement
Multi -family projects shall be eligible oftheotr a 1TaxUAbatemenabatetl Ag eement of'ent d pororthe
taxes for years six through ten
satisfaction of the following:
a. f th
At least twenty percent (20%) oeU tal uSDepartme constructet off Housing hand Urbanl
be affordable (as defined by the
Development) to persons with incomes at or below eighty percent (80%) of area
median income based on
family size
median such income units
tasshall be set aside defined by the UfSr
persons at or below 80 /° of thean
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 amulti-family development project
constructed afterNEZ
unEtss'OR gnathaveha
project must provide at lea (5 ) residential
minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; or ust be rehabilitated after NEZ
2. For a rehabilitation project, the property shall be at least
erty
Such
designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs Elp ibpe Rehabilitation costs
30% of the Base Value of the property. g must come from the rehabilitation of atst five (5) residential living units or
a min_ i� Capital Investment of $200,000. ro riate,
b. Any other terms as City Council of the cityof Fort Worth deems app p
including, but not limited to:
1s utilization of Fort Worth companies for an agreed upon percentage of the total
costs for construction contracts;
26 utilization of certified minority
�osts fomen 1r cons uction contracts; nebusiness enterprises for an
agreed upon percentage of the total
3v property inspection;
40 commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Fort Worth residents
56 commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Central City residents
6. landscaping;
70 tenant selection plans; and
8. management plans.
C, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND
PROJECTS LOCATED IN A NEZ
COMMUNITY FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT
5
R
less this section snau appiv.
Abatements for Commercial, Industrial
and
cil approval IIThe applicant may
Projects for up to 5 years are subs Y Coun
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:
develo
ment proje
ct
a. A commercial, industrial or a community facilities ton must have a minimum Capital Investment of
constructed after NEZ designa
$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
years this section sha�� appiy.
Abatements agreements fora Commercial,
lae subject'al to City CouCounciluapproval. The
Development projects for up to 1 years a
applicant may apply with the Economic and Community Development Department for
such abatement.
The appli
cant must apply for the tax abatement and be approved by City Council
before construction or rehabilitation is started.
Years 1 throu h 5 of the I ax Hpatemei I L r, I S;G�
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 minCapital Investment of
$75,000; or
b. For a rehabilitation project, it must
eshall be at east 30% of the Base Value of
Rehabilitation costs on the prop y
the property, or $75,000, whichever is greater.
Adopted 5-15-2007 . 6
Years 6 through 10 of the Tax Abatement A re
Commercial, Industrial and Community Facilities Development projects shall be
eligible for 1%-100% abatement oCity
ad valorem taxes for years of the following:ix through ten of
the Tax Abatement Agreementupon
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;
40 commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Central City residents;
and
5. landscaping.
p. MIXED -USE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LOCATED IN A NEZ
1.
if an a licant a ues ror a pax Qua« � ��� - -
less this section shall apply.
Abatements for Mixed -Use Development Projects for up the Housing Departmentfor are
City Council approval. The applicant may app y v
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. in the pro
Residential uses ject constitute 20 percent or more of the total Gross
Floor Area of the project; and
b. Office, eating and entertainmentof the total Gross Floor Area of the project;.
project constitute 10 p
and
(1) A mixed -use development project constructed after NEZ designation must
have a minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; or
Adopted 5-15-2007 7
designa
(2) For a rehabilitation project, it must be rehabilitated
after
NEZ of the Base
iono
Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the property shall e at
Value of the property, or $200,000, whichever is greater.
year�s this section snap a��w.
or
to
Abatements agreements for a Mixed
applevelicant nmayojects applyf withup
1Housang
rs
are subject to City Council approval.
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 throw h 5 of the Tax Abatement h � Cc�„
Mixed Use Development projects shallobthel�TaxeAbatem0enot Agreement upon the
valorem taxes for the first five years
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 of the total Gross Floor Area of the project;
project constitute 10 percent or m
and
NEZ
must
c. Anew mixed -use development project of $200,OOO;constructedafter
forra rehabil to gon project, it
have a minimum_► Capital Investment
must be rehabilitated after No Z designation. ase Value of ible Rehabilitation e proprty, o� $200,000,
sts on the
property shall be at least 30 /o of
whichever is greater.
Years 6 throw h 10 of the Tax Abatement Hai C=� � ��
Mixed Use Development projects shall lAbatem0e/nt Agreement upoln the
valorem taxes for years six through ten of theTax
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 Gross Floor Area of the project l sales and service uses in e
project constitute 10 percent or more of the tot
ion
c. Anew mixed -use development project co 0 eor forer NEZ a rehabilitation pproject, it
have a minimum Capital Investment of $200,000; ,
must be rehabilitated after NEZ designation. Eligible Rehabilitation costs on the
Adopted 5-15-2007 8
E.
the Base Value of the property, or $200,000,
property shall be at least 30% of
whichever is greater; and
d. Any other terms as City Council of the City of Fort Worth deems appropriate,
including, but not limited to:
1s utilization of Fort Worth companies for an agreed upon percentage of the
total costs for construction contracts;
20 utilization of certified minority and women owned business enterprises for
an agreed upon percentage of the total costs for construction contracts;
30 property inspection; ercenta a of Fort Worth residents
46 commit to hire an agreed upon p 9
5. commit to hire an agreed upon percentage of Central City residents
6. landscaping;
76 tenant selection plans; and
80 management plans.
ABATEMENT GUIDELINES
1. will deermine
If a NEZ is located in a Tax Increment I ng eDntives in (Sect onnllll will bet
toffered
on a case -by -case basis if the tax abatement
to eligible Projects. Eligible Projects must meet all eligibility requirements specified
in Section III.
ne
2. If a Project is located in the Woodhaven f N or a tax rabatement under this, Policyordhe
er
to be considered eligible to apply
Woodhaven Community Development e submittedrporation and the Woodhaven
a letter of support for the Project to
Neighborhood Association must h
the City of Fort Worth
3. In order to be eligible to apply for a tax abatement, the property owner/developer
must:
a. 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
sible for the tax delinquency for the Property;
20 the applicant is not respon
and off the taxes under the
3. the applicant enters into an agreement to pay
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 property owned by the
b. Not have any City of Fort Worth liens filed against any prop y
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 properly to be purchased under a contract for deed are
t
not eligible for tax abatemens.
Adopted 5-15-2007
5. Once a NEZ property owner of a residential property (including multi -family) in the
t forth Sections
NEZ satisfies the criteria seter a tltax abatement agreement with the City
abatement, a property owner may en
the
of Fort Worth. The tax abatement ngagreement ns11 in violation automatically
f of the City ofFort
property subject to the tax abateme
Worth's Minimum Building Standards Code and the owner is convicted of such
violation.
11, can only
6. A tax abatement granted under the
ha criteria maximorth in um term oas Ispecif specified in the
be
granted once for a property in a NEZ for
agreement. If a properly on which taiiaibnn9abated
matonce thesold,
new ownerwill
submits the
an
tax abatement agreement for the remaining
application.
7. A property owner/developer of a multifamily development, commercial, industrial,
community facilities and mixed -use development o D must project in the NEZ who desires a
tax abatement under Sections 111.B, C
a. Satisfy the criteria set forth in Sections III.B, C or D, as applicable, and Sections
III.E.1 E.2; and E3. and applicable; and
b. File an application with the Housing Department, as
c. The property owner must enter into a tax abatement agreement with the City of
Fort Worth. In addition to theeoagreem nt shallgautomatically tterms of areement, the erminateabatement
if the.
agreement shall provide that th of Fort
owner receives one conviction of a violation of the Cisub ect to orth'the abatement
Building Standards Code regarding the property 1
agreement during the term of the tax abatement agreement; and
d. 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.
ty Council
8. If the terms of the tax abatement agreementagreements lnr the eventet, the cancellathon, the
as the
right to cancel or amend the abatement
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
each yeaof Fort rthduri right
tthe life of review
the
and verify the applicants financial 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 willcontain
innCity's sole discretiontetf the nProject
terminate the agreement, as determine
contains or will contain a liquor store or package store.
10. Upon completion of construction of the facilities, the
City halle with the h n annually of the
evaluate each project receiving abatement to in p
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
Adopted 5-15-2007 10
F
IV.
perty owner's
provide information and of the documentation
agreement eemch eent and shalltails the o ertify that the
compliance with the terms p
owner is in compliance with each applicable term of the agreement. Failure to report
this information and to provide the required certification s abated irnthe above dedline the prior yeaabeingsdule
result in cancellation of agreement and any
and payable.
owne
11. If a property in the NEZ on which tax is being abated is sold, for the rthma' new
terror may Any
enter into a tax abatement agreement on h ch is property
n eof permitted in the tax abatement
sale, assignment or lease of the property
in cancellation of the agreement and s assignment occurredure of any taxes
agreement results
abated after the date on which an unspecified
APPLICATION FEE
1. An application fee of $25.00 for all basic incentives, excluding tax abatements.
2. The application fee for residential tax abatements governed under Section III.A is
$1009
multi -family, commercial, industrial, communittylffa i itiess on
rnd
3. The application fee for
mixed -use development proj the governed
erned Project's Cap'talder Seconsllnvestment, with a $200
half of one percent (0.5%) of proposed Application Fee shall not be credited or
minimum not to exceed $2,000. The App
refunded to any party for any reason.
FEE WAIVERS
ELIGIBLE RECIPIEIVTSIPROPERTIES
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
for e Neighborhood
Project the City of Fort
Association must have submitted a letter of support
Worth —however, once the NEZ Plan is submitted for the Woodhaven NEZ, this will
no longer be required.
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;
Adopted 5-15-2007
11
b. must not be delinquent in paying property taxes for any property owned by the
owner/developer or applicant; ro ert owned by the applicant
c. must not have any City liens filed against any p p y weed liens, demolition
property owner/developer, including but not limited to,
liens, board-up/open structure liens and paving liens; and
cka e store or a sexually
d. of a Project that will contain or contains a liquor store, pa
g
ity Council's determination that the Project is
oriented business has received C
eligible to apply for fee waivers.
g, DEVELOPMENT FEES
Once the Application for NEZ Incentives has been of Fort Worth for proved and Projeified bt t n the City, NEZ
following fees for services performed by the City
are waived for new construction projects or rehabilitationReat on costs: st that expend at feast
30% of the Base Value of the property on Eligible
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)
3. Board of Adjustment application fee
4. Demolition fee
5. Structure moving fee application fee
6. Community Facilities Agreement (CFA) a pp
7. Zoning application fee application fee
8. Street and utility easement vacation
g. Ordinance Inspection Fees Fees
10. Consent/Encroachment Agreement Application
related fees not specified above will be considered for approval by
Other development
City Council on a case -by -case basis.
C. IMPACT FEES
1. Single family and multi -family residential deielopment projects in the NEZ.-
Automatic 100%waiver of water and wastewater impact fees will be applied.
2. Commercial, industrial, mixed -use, or community facility development projects in the
NEZ.
or
a. Automatic 100% waiverater anwastewater impact t
of weachcommerc al,i industrial, mixxed uu0se or
equivalent to two 6-inch meters for
community facility development project.
ing a
b. If the project requests an impact fee 6-inch meter, then City Council approaiver exceeding $55,000 or val is
waiver for larger and/or more than
Adopted 5-15-2007
12
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. t will
City Council shall determine on a case -by -case basis whether a Project tha
contain or contains a liquor store or package store is eligible to apply for a fee
waiver.
2. t Zonein order
If a Project is located in the Woodhaven Neighborhood Empowermen,
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 —however, once the NEZ Plan is submitted for the Woodhaven
NEZ, this will no longer be required.
3. ojon property to be purchased under a contract for deed are
Prects to be constructed
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 ad 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;
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.
6. Liens shall be released once the Project Improvements have been made to the
property.
7. Any liens filed after the initial certification of the property shall not be released.
B, WEED LIENS
The following are eligible to apply for release of weed liens:
1. Single unit owners performing rehabilitation on the properties.
Adopted 5-15-2007 13
vacant lots*
2. Builders or developers constructing new homes oncommerc al, industrial; mixed -use,
3. Owners performing rehabilitation on multi Y
or community facility prop
4. Developers constructing new multi mily, commercial, industrial, mixe -use or
community facility development Projects.
C. DEMOLITION LIENS
Builders or developers developing or rehabilitating a property for a Project are eligible to
a ply for release of demolition liens for up to $30,,0a00. Releases of demolition liens in
pp10
excess of $30,000 are subject to City Council app
p, BOARD-UPIOPEN STRUCTURE LIENS
apply for release of board-up/open structure liens:
The following are eligible tot, on their
1. Single unit owners pes constructing newtr
s ngle family homes on vacant lots.
2. Builders or developer
3. Owners performing rehabilitation on multi -family, commercial, industrial, mixed -use,
or community facility properties.
4. ercial, industrial, mixed -use, or
Developers constructing multi -family, comm
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
aropeantrl es ts.
2. Builders or developers constructing n
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.
via PDURAL STEPS
ROCE
A, APPLICATION SUBMISSION
1. The applicant for NEZ incentives under Sections
and pay the ppV. must eopr ate
te and
submit a City of Fort Worth "Application for NZ
application fee to the Housing Department, as applicable&
cant for incentives under Sections III.C.2 and D.2� must as the a ppeopr ate
te and
2. The apple "Application for Tax Abatement and pay p
submit a City of Fort Worth
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 Ill. IV, AND V
1. The Housing Department will review the application for accuracy and
Adopted 5-15-2007
14
completeness. Once the Housing Department determines that the application is
Department will certify the property owner/developer's
complete, the Housing p
eligibility to receive tax abatements and/or basic incentives based on the criteria s
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
itdevelopment fee waiveesuse �sment projects.
c. Development Department:
d. Water Department: impact fee waiver
e. Other appropriate departments, if applicable.
2. Once Development Department, Water Department, Economic cation from the Housing
and/or other appropriate department receive a certifiedapplication
pp
Department, each department/office shanldfil�eturn iout a Vtorlthet'Housing Department for
on of NEZ Incentives for
Certified NEZ Incentives Application"
record keeping and tracking.
c. APPLICATION REVIEW AND EVALUATION FOR APPLICATIONS
1. Property Tax Abatement for Residential Properties and Multi -family Development
Projects
e years of tax
a. For a completed and certified
ropllcthenfor no more C'i y Managerthan
shall vexe ute a tax
abatement, with Council approval, the
abatement agreement with the applicants
b. For a completed and certified mutamity development project application for
more than five years of tax abatement:
(1) The 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 nest ruction contracts(such as rcommittedltopation, etc.).
(c) Percent of c
(i) Fort Worth based firms, and
(ii) Minority and Women Owned Business
Enterprises otiate. (MNVBEs).
(d) Other items which the City and the applicantY ne 9
(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
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
Adopted 5-15-2007
15
(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
th
All tax abatements approved by e 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 otheise ct shall be Ified in the due and payable.ment, taxes
levied during the construction of the proje
2. Property Tax Abatement for (ommercial,
Industrial, Community Facilities, and
a. For a completed and certified
rtiedl'cthenCty Manager shall vexecute of tax
abatement, with Councilapproval,
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 Ecat an o en meet ngnThe C mmittee mayevelomet committee, the Committee will
consider the application
p
Adopted 5-15-2007
VII
(a) Approve the application. Staff will then incorporate the application into a
tax abatement agreement which willbe sent othe Cityoouncil with the
Committee's recommendation to approve the agreement;
(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 appeal the Committee's finding
(c) Deny the application. The applicant may
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 ordany
n
y Lax a C2 tom
agreement and is under no obligation to approveY tax abatement
application or tax abatement agreement. The City of Fort Worth is underno
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 shall belfied in due andhpayable agreement, taxes
levied during the construction of the project
3. Development Fee Waivers
uncil
a. For certified applications of deve°ent fee
will waiversareviewthat
theocertifiedrequire
appli�ant's
approval, the DevelopmentDepartment
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
approval, the Water Department will
and grant appropriate incentivesw
fee waivers that do not require Council
review the certified applicant's application
b. For certified applications of impact fee waivers that require C � cationpand amake
Water Department will review the certified applicant's app
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.
REFUND POLICY
Adopted 5-15-2007 � 7
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.
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 Project:
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
ity in the NEZ the Project is located; or
organizations registered with the c
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.
Adopted 5-15-2007 18
c. The Public Notification Process listed in (a) and (b) above shall only apply to NEZs in
which the City Council has not approved a NEZ Strategic Plan. Once the a NEZ
Strategic Plan has been approved for the particular NEZ, no public notification shall be
required for NEZ Incentives so long as the Project meets the criteria outlined in the
relevant NEZ Strategic Plan.
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
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.
ents are
Under the NEZ Tax Abatement Policy and Basic Incentives, City Departm
authorized to waive impact and development fees for uag lified 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 quacation 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
Adopted 5-15-2007 20
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
Adopted 5-15-2007 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.
Adopted S-IS-2007
Exhibit B
Property Description
5605 Grenada Drive; Lot 10; Block 1; Waterfront at Enchanted Bay; an Addition to the
City of Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, according to the plat recorded and filed in
Cabinet A; Slide No. 11723, Plat Records, Tarrant County, Texas.