PRESENTER: Presenter
Katie Totman, Historic Preservation Officer
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SUBJECT: Title
ORD25-370 Public hearing and recommendation to City Council on proposed amendments to the City’s Code of Ordinances in Chapter 66 Historic Preservation, Section 66-57.1, Incentives
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DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood & Community Planning
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Case No: ORD25-370
Staff Contact: Katie Totman, Historic Preservation Officer
(830) 221-4086 | ktotman@newbraunfels.gov <mailto:ktotman@newbraunfels.gov>
ISSUE:
Chapter 66 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, Section 66-57.1, currently provides tax relief and incentives for the rehabilitation, stabilization, and renovation of designated historic landmarks and properties located within local historic districts. However, through collaboration with the Comal Appraisal District, it was noted that the ordinance lacks clarity in several areas, leading to administrative challenges for both entities in providing consistent guidance to applicants.
Specifically:
1. Eligibility for Consecutive Tax Relief Terms: Currently, applicants are required to submit the initial request for tax relief which, if approved, would be applied for a five (5) year period. At the end of the five (5) year period they are required to re-apply for a second five (5) year period.
2. Qualification for Tax Relief: The way in which the tax relief is determined is inconsistent with the current State Tax Code.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN REFERENCE:
Action 1.11: Update policies and codes to achieve development patterns that implement the goals of this plan.
Action 2.5: Encourage diversification of commercial activity Downtown to build on and sustain existing historic resources and maximize structure utilization for economic expansion.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☐Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☒Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
Community Identity Objective 2:
This code amendment advances goals of the LDO including streamlined processes and encourages the preservation and rehabilitation of our historic resources.
Organizational Excellence Objective 2:
This code amendment demonstrates a cooperative relationship with other jurisdictions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The existing incentive would remain, just restructured for clarity, consistency, streamlining, and ease of use and application.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval. Staff worked with the Comal Appraisal District to develop these amendments that will clarify the process and ensure consistency with the appraisal district processes.