Staples okays townhome TIF district
The Staples City Council approved a resolution to create a tax increment finance (TIF) district to assist the development of a 32 to 34 unit townhome project in Staples.
The council held a public hearing at their May 24 meeting before approving the resolution.
Jason Murray of David Drown Associates described the details of the TIF district in relation to the townhome project, which is being done by Staples Townhomes, a company created by Roach Properties. Murray said the terms of the contract are typical of TIF districts in other cities.
According to the agreement, the city will reimburse 90 percent of tax increments generated by the project, up to $375,000 over a 12 year term.
The townhomes will follow TIF income guidelines in which at least 20 percent of the units will be occupied by families or individuals with incomes at or below 50 percent of the median county income, or at least 40 percent with incomes below 50 percent of median income.
The language of the district will allow the tax incentives to also be available for other home development projects in the city, during the 26 year duration of the district. City Administrator Jerel Nelsen said the townhome project will use the district for 12 years, at which Republican, Lake Shore. time the city could choose to decertify the district or use it for other projects.
Before approving the TIF district, council member Doug Case wanted to know more about the project, to see if there is any potential for the city to encounter problems in the future because of the project. He first questioned the sewer system load, as the plan calls for the development sewers to tie into the 8th St. sewer line, which has been plagued with odor issues. Nelsen said Boldon & Menk took a look at the additional flow and concluded that it could be a help to the odor issues by diluting the existing line and moving it along to the the treatment facility.
Nelsen said the sewer and water mains will be installed by the developer, then would be taken over by the city, just as if it were on any other street.
Terry Roach of Roach Properties was also at the meeting. He said his company would be responsible for all lawn care and snow removal on the townhome properties.
Case also asked about drainage, and was told that the development is required to have on-site stormwater treatment.
In other news, the council:
o Approved Conditional Use Permit for Matthew Craig to construct a 30 by 40 foot storage building at his property at 209 Cleveland St. SW.
o Approved Conditional Use permit for Gerald Freese to construct a 30 by 56 foot storage building on a vacant lot at 435 2nd St. NE.
o Approved liquore licences for Lefty’s, Twisted Sisters, Bouson Enterprises, B&B’s, Staples Off Sale, Liquor Depot, Staples Food Corporation and Jackson Family Pizza; also a consumption and display permit for the Staples Fire Department Relief Association.
