01-16-2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes—January 16, 2024 5825 requested a reduction in the 2023 value from $319,900 to $270,400. Mr. Splonskowski said the City of Fargo reassessed the home and believed the home was not equalized with other properties in the neighborhood and believes the 2023 value should be reduced to $289,800. He said the abatement was approved by the Fargo City Commission to reduce the 2023 value to $289,800. He said the applicant is in agreement with the reduced value. MOTION, passed Mr. Kapitan moved and Mr. Grindberg seconded to approve abatement application 4549 and reduce the 2023 value for parcel 01-2860-0070-000 to 289,800. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 8. ABATEMENT, Approved for Café Holdings, LLC Mr. Splonskowski discussed an abatement application submitted by Phil Abeln on behalf of Café Holdings, LLC for a property located at 2653 45 Street South in Fargo. The applicant has requested a reduction in the 2023 value from $2,378,000 to $1,100,000. Mr. Splonskowski said the restaurant was under construction when it was reappraised in 2022 and when construction was finished was valued higher. He said upon further review and utilizing the income and sales comparison approach, the City of Fargo has recommended the 2023 value be reduced to $2,090,000. Phil Abeln was present via Microsoft Teams and said after the City of Fargo and Cass County Assessors reviewed the property and looked at comparable properties, he agrees with the reduced value of $2,090,000. MOTION, passed Mr. Kapitan moved and Mrs. Scherling seconded to approve abatement application 4552 and reduce the 2023 value for parcel 01-8533-00400-000 to 2,090,000. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 9. FARGO RENAISSANCE ZONE DEVELOPMENT PLAN UPDATE City of Fargo Administrator, Mike Redlinger was present and said the City of Fargo is working on an update to the Renaissance Zone Development Plan following legislative changes to North Dakota Century Code Section 40-65 which would allow eligible projects up to an eight-year tax benefit. City of Fargo Planning Director, Nicole Crutchfield was present and said the City of Fargo is asking for the County's support of the Renaissance Zone plan update which reflects eligible projects may receive up to an eight-year benefit, which is currently up to five years, and communities may now have two "islands", previously only one island was allowed. Ms. Crutchfield said the plan update was reviewed by the Fargo Renaissance Zone Authority and was approved with one "no" vote. Mr. Peterson said he is on the Renaissance Zone Authority and was the lone no vote. He said he struggles to support the eight-year incentive. He said he is supportive of five-year incentives. Mr. Grindberg said 25 years ago he was in the State Legislature when Renaissance Zone laws were created. He said he is comfortable with supporting a 5-year benefit, however, is not supportive of updating the plan to allow for eight-year incentives. He said if eight-year incentives are allowed, applicants will ask for eight years rather than five. Mr. Peterson said he is supportive of the eight- year incentive if the request for eight years has to come to the County for approval similar to the process for Tax Increment Financing (TIFs) and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs). Mr. Breitling said the update includes adding an additional island to the Renaissance Zone. He asked where the second island will be located. Ms. Crutchfield said the location of the second island has not yet been identified. Mr. Peterson said the request today is for the Commission to approve a letter of support for the Renaissance Zone Plan update. He asked if the County does not take action, does the plan remain at five years. Assistant State's Attorney, Kate Nauman was present and said if the Commission does