TAD Advisory Committee - Lexington Road

AGENDA LEXINGTON TAX ALLOCATION DISTRICT (TAD) ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING Thursday, June3, 2021 – 5:30 pm Location: Athens Ben Epps Airport, Terminal Building Meeting Room A. Call to Order as a Special Called Meeting: Mack Duncan, Chair at 5:35pm B. Approval of Agenda Motion to Approve: Shane Dekle Second: Cshanyse Allen Mack Duncan requested to add agenda item, to discuss reason for delay in M & C consideration of the agenda item for the Community Benefits Agreement regarding proposed project at 2400 Lexington Road Shane - withdrawal of original motion Allen - second of withdrawal of motion Unanimous approval of Committee Motion: Mack Duncan - motion to include discussion of reasons for delay of M & C consideration of the Community Benefits Agreement to June 15. Second: Shane Dekle Unanimous approval by the Committee C. Approval of Minutes Motion: Shane Dekle Second: Cshanyse Allen Unanimous Approval of minutes D. Blaine Williams discussed reasons for delay of M & C consideration of the Community Benefits Agreement to June 15. Discussion of engagement of Athens Land Trust to manage the affordable housing component. Developer reached out early on into project related to incentives to District 2 Commissioner Parker and to Manager Williams. Incorporated a deed restriction into their proposal, and reached out to the Athens Land Trust because state law requires a third party to monitor compliance of these types of agreements regarding affordable housing. Agreement is between the Athens Land Trust and the developer, and ALT is paid an administrative fee by the developer. The ACC inclusionary planning committee is considering incorporating a deed restriction arrangement into their efforts. Concerns about the separation of the workforce housing from the market housing, and will be built by Strategic Capital Partners on a 3 acre parcel they are purchasing from Trinitas. Concern that having the affordable housing separate on a separate parcel does not meet the ideals of inclusion. Developer is currently in negotiation with the Mayor & Commission regarding terms of the Community Benefits Agreement. Committee would like to meet again prior to June 15 if the terms of the Community Benefits Agreement are amended, so they can determine whether to change their recommendation and comment to the M &C. Concern regarding how the 20% of the M & C's TAD Affordable Housing goal is calculated for future proposed projects. Would like to consult with TAD legal counsel regarding this item. E. Committee Discussion and Brainstorm of Potential Projects Eligible for TAD Funding Within the TAD Looking at existing blighted multifamily/housing structures, and incentivizing redevelopment of existing housing rather than incentivizing new housing. Looking at the corridor, blight is an issue. Athens First building. Willow Wood Shopping Center. Pedestrian infrastructure up and down the road. Indiana Avenue and Johnson Drive do not have sewer; they are still on septic tanks. Springtree Road off of Lexington does not have sewer on it; developer would have the expense of installing septic tanks, and then can only use a smaller portion of the land, meaning lower density use. Discussion of the term of the TAD and what that looks like over the time period and the forecasted TAD revenues. This TAD period is limited to 20 years, but at the end of the period, can do another Redevelopment Plan. If data in Redevelopment Plan area indicates that the area is still eligible per the state requirements for TADs at the end of the 20-year initial TAD, the TAD could potentially be extended. Looking at multiuse path, 15 feet wide, and potential opportunities to partner with GDOT or for potential safety funds. Understanding the land use and what is possible in terms of economic development and likely job creation in the corridor. ACCGov Planning Dept will attend next meeting on June 17 to share land use, comp plan, and future land use for this corridor. Entry road to the airport so it is accessible from Lexington Road; where it might go and be strategic. Perhaps a stoplight to help slow traffic in the corridor. Difficulty of navigating the corridor due to traffic. Getting in and out and onto Lexington Road is very difficult, especially when the students are in town, due to traffic and speeds. Discussion of how to prioritize the 4 TAD goals. Discussion of the key importance of infrastructure to the corridor, as well as economic development partnership opportunities. Suggestion to consider not attaching percentages to each goal. F. Date for Next Regular Meeting: Thurs, June 17th at 5:30 pm, in person at Ben Epps Airport G. Adjourn Motion to adjourn: Rhett Butler Second: Cshanyse Allen Unanimous approval by Committee