TAD Advisory Committee - Lexington Road

AGENDA LEXINGTON TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT (TAD) ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, May 20, 2021 – 5:30 pm Held remotely via WebEx Present: Cshanyse Allen, Rhett Butler, Mack Duncan, Mae Walter Absent: Brantley Colbert, Shane Dekle Staff: Ilka McConnell A. Overview of Agenda: Ilka McConnell Motion: Mae Walter Second: Rhett Butler Unanimously approved by the Committee B. Approval of Minutes Motion: Mae Walter Second: Cshanyse Allen Unanimously approved by the Committee C. Next Steps for Mayor & Commission Regarding TAD Funding Request for Proposed Project at 2400 Lexington Road: Ilka McConnell shared staff considerations document for the 2400 Lexington Road proposed project with the Committee. The considerations will be added as an amendment to the agenda item for the Mayor & Commission prior to their vote on the project at their June 1st meeting. Mack Duncan asked if McConnell would be willing to add a consideration regarding the wording of the Mayor & Commission's TAD goal related to housing opportunities, which targets residential development opportunities to provide at least 20% of dwelling units at permanently affordable at 80% of Area Median Income, as he does not believe the number of dwelling units in the proposed project meets the targeted amount. McConnell said she will take a look at it. McConnell shared the process that will be used going forward for future Requests for TAD Funding: staff will pre-evaluate all TAD Funding Requests, request any additional information needed from the applicant, create a project briefing with key considerations regarding the proposed project, and present to the TAD Advisory Committee, along with the Request for TAD Funding application, for their consideration. D. Discussion of M & C's TAD Goals, and Discussion of Possible Priority Goals Within Lexington Road TAD McConnell shared information from TAD counsel Dan McCrae regarding whether TAD funds can be used for job training. In brief, a service like training could be TAD funded to the extent that it supports development or revitalization within the TAD District, but to do that, the training would have to be about traditional development or revitalization. General workforce training would not be expressly supported by the law. An example is an Invest Atlanta Westside TAD program called "Community Builders" that trains TAD residents in commercial real estate. The training took place in the TAD. Discussion among Committee members regarding priorities within the TAD: Need projects that will generate tax dollars, so economic development opportunities will be the goal out of the 4 M & C TAD goals that will generate those types of businesses. Would like to brainstorm ideas and types of projects and possibilities for the region as a group. Not sure what is possible for the land in the district, and want to use Committee time strategically so they do not brainstorm ideas that are not possible. Would like Planning Department to come and share current and future land use for the TAD District parcels. Would like to know the forecasted TAD revenues for Lexington Road TAD, to have a sense of the potential funds that might be available. E. Previous Efforts & Projects that Include the Lexington Road TAD Area McConnell shared brief overview of the Lexington Road Corridor Planning Committee, which has been identifying, gathering public input, and is in the process of prioritizing transportation-related (roadways, intersections, bike, pedestrian, transit, airport) projects in the Lexington Road Corridor which has some overlap with the Lexington Road TAD District. Committee members would like to hear from the Corridor Committee, but when they are closer to having a prioritized list of projects and project costs that they can share. That would enable the TAD Committee to review the list and identify whether there are high priority projects that might be opportunities to partner on, to recommend use of TAD funds to complete. McConnell shared that TSPLOST project submissions for a potential new TSPLOST referendum in Spring 2022 will likely occur this Summer. It will offer an opportunity for the Committee, or as individuals, to submit potential projects that will aid redevelopment in the TAD District. F. Nominations and Selection of Committee Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary Motion by Rhett Butler, nominating Mack Duncan as Chair, Cshanyse Allen as Vice Chair, and Mae Walter as Secretary Second: Cshanyse Allen Unanimous approval by the Committee G. Next Steps: Ilka McConnell Question regarding location(s) for in-person meetings. McConnell will identify. H. Date for Next Meeting: Thurs, June 3rd at 5:30 pm I. Adjourn Motion: Mae Walter Second: Cshanyse Allen Unanimous approval by the Committee