HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 04-25RESOLUTION NO 04-25
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION.ARIZONA.ADOPTING AN INFILL INCENTIVE PLAN AND
ESTABLISHING INFILL INCENTIVE DISTRICTS
WHEREAS.Arizona Revised Statutes Annotated (-A.R.S.")Section 9-
499.10(A)allows a city to establish infill incentive districts in
areas in the city that meet at least three of the following
requirements:1) there i s a large number of vacant older or dilapidated
buildings or structures:2)there is a large number of vacant or
underused parcels of property.obsolete or inappropriate lot or parcel .
sizes or environmentally contaminated sites:3)there is a large number
of buildings or other places where nuisances exist or occur:4)there
is an absence of development and investment activity compared to other
areas in the city:5)there is a high occurrence of crime:6)there is
continuing decline in population:and
WHEREAS.the Mayor and City Council have identified areas within
the City of Apache Junction which meet. the criteria listed above:and
WHEREAS.the Mayor and City Council have considered a plan to
encourage development in these areas to enhance the economic welfare of
the community as a whole:and
WHEREAS.the plan includes expedited zoning or rezoning
procedures.expedited processing of plans and proposals and waivers of
municipal fees for development activities and relief from development
standards:and
WHEREAS.such infill development:,incentives may encourage the
redevelopment of properties:and 2
WHEREAS.the goal of providing incentives in these areas is to
encourage capital investment,increase the tax, base.and create jobs:
and
WHEREAS.the incentives should be applied to new and expanding
business.
RESOLUTION NO.04-25
Page 1 of 2
NOW.THEREFORE.BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION..ARIZONA.AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I ADOPTION OF INFILL INCENTIVE PLAN -
The Mayor and City Council adopt an infill incentive plan for all of
the reasons set forth above,and as more fully described in Attachment
A.
SECTION II ESTABLISHMENT OF INFILL INCENTIVE DISTRICTS
The Mayor and City Council establish infill incentive districts for the
reasons set forth above,which boundaries are more particularly
described in Attachment A.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE
JUNCTION.ARIZONA.THIS 19TH DAY OF OCTOBER .2004.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 19TH DAY OF OCTOBER
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
3 -1o•O5 O
RICHARD J.STERN
City Attorney
RESOLUTION NO.04-25
Page 2 of 2
.2004
GLAS C LEMANDOUGLAS COLEMAN
Mayor
J"-
Aftachment A
Infill Incentive District Plan
Objectives
The City of Apache Junction's infill incentive plan presents guidelines which are
intended to encourage commercial and retail development in the downtown by
offering a package of incentives such as reduced development fees and other
business assistance options.These incentive guidelines are intended to be used
for new and/or expansion projects within the identified downtown areas (see
attached map).'New'projects can also mean establishing businesses in
buildings that have been out of use for more than one year.
The following objectives reflect the type of character and amenities which the
community has articulated should be incorporated into its downtown plan:
a.Preserve and enhance the current "southwestern" appeal while providing
a strong economic and social foundation for the community.
b.Strengthen and protect residential neighborhoods from adjacent
incompatible land uses.
c.Address Parking issues within the area through strategies and
mechanisms to minimize the impact of parking needs on the pedestrian
envirohMent.
d.Develop activities events which encourage periods of extended
commercial use.
e.Blend a public presence into the downtown through facilities such as
cultural arts, public and municipal facilities, parks and open spaces.
f.Improve pedestrian and vehicular circulation; protecting the former while
accommodating the latter.
g.Stimulate investment throughout the downtown by development of
extensive public infrastructure, private redevelopment projects, shared
and interconnected activity areas, while emphasizing shade, comfort and
pedestrian amenities.
h.Install modern "streetscape" elements which will serve as unifying
elements among the diverse and often conflicting downtown uses.
i.Assemble sites for unique retail, office, and mixed -use projects.
j.Assist in the diversification and enhancement of the types and selection of
goods and services provided within the downtown area.
k.Encourage businesses to adopt current business tools for success.
I.Encourage energy -efficient architectural design.
m. Mitigate "grandfathered/legal non -conforming uses" within the area.
n.Develop strong commercial property maintenance standards.
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Criteria
The City will consider the following factors in determining whether the potential
recipient should be granted incentives. Applicants must meet at least one of the
following criteria:
1.The applicant's operation will otherwise improve or enhance the economic
welfare or quality of life for citizens of Apache Junction.
2.The overall benefits which the City will receive from the applicant's project
in the form of increased employment at a living wage, sales taxes or
generated investment in the community outweighs the economic costs to
the City.
3.The use of incentives will assist to further develop the economy of the
City.
4.The applicant's operation meets the overall goals for downtown
redevelopment.
Additionally, the City requires that the applicant agree to all of the following
provisions:
1.The property sought to be utilized, and the use established thereon, is a
legal conforming property and use, per the City of Apache Junction Zoning
Ordinance.
2.The use is an eligible use under the provisions of this program.
3.The applicant has received all necessary approvals to proceed with the
proposed development.
4.The applicant follows the appropriate recommendations in the City of
Apache Junction's Design Guidelines and Dictionary.
5.The property to be developed, expanded or redeveloped meets all
environmental requirements as well as fully meets all city requirements
such as the dark sky ordinance, landscaping codes, parking and federal
ADA requirements.
6.All properties should work towards becoming compliant, or make every
effort to come into substantial compliance.
Finally, the city has the option of excluding those properties that do not require
assistance due to prime location, existing/improved infrastructure, or other
market factors.
Targeted Development Priorities
A.Economic Development:
If the City, Councildetermines that the criteria for assistance are satisfied, the
City may enter into development agreements which throughout the identified
downtown areas provide for:
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1.Rebate or reduction of development fees, and/or rebate of any other fees
required to be paid in connection with the construction, expansion or
redevelopment of a commercial or industrial project, including, but not
limited to, planning and zoning fees, engineering fees, and building permit
fees.
2.Expending City resources to construct off -site public infrastructure
required for the development of the commercial project, or relocation of
existing infrastructure.
3.Expediting zoning and development processes, such as assistance with
relocation as well as other administrative actions to expedite the
development process.
B.Redevelopment of Slum or Blighted Areas:
The redevelopment of a slum or blighted area is necessary to insure the
public health, safety or welfare of the residents of the city.The existence of
these areas contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of
disease and crime, and demands a disproportionate expenditure of public
funds.„,
Definitions:'
A "slum area" is an area ,in which:
a. there is-a predominance of dilapidated or deteriorated buildings or
improvements whether residential or nonresidential; and
b. the public health, safety or welfare is threatened because of any of the
following:
(i) dilapidated, deteriorated, aging or obsolescent buildings or
improvements;
•(ii)the inadequate provision of ventilation, light, air, sanitation or open
spaces;
(iii)overcrowding;
(iv)the existence of conditions that endanger life or property by fire and
other causes.
A "blighted area" means an area, other than a slum area, where sound
municipal growth and the provision of housing accommodations are
substantially hindered by a predominance of any of the following:
a. a dominance of defective or inadequate street layouts,
b. faulty lot layout in relation to size adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness,
c. unsanitary or unsafe conditions,
d. deterioration of site or other improvements,
e. diversity of ownership,
f. tax or special assessment delinquency exceeding fair value of land,
g. defective or unusual conditions of title,
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h. improper or obsolete subdivision platting,
i. the existence of conditions that endanger life or property by fire and other
causes
B.Redevelopment Projects in the Downtown Area:
The applicants' projects will preserve and/or enhance existing facilities and
buildings of local significance that create employment opportunities and
provide economic benefits to the City by revitalizing the project area. The
City has established three incentive zones or areas within the community,
which are:
1.Area 1: Encompasses the Meridian Redevelopment Area, from Meridian
to Delaware, along West Apache Trail.
Illustrative of the types of incentives to be provided in this area include:
•Rebate of development fees, and/or rebate of any other fees required
to be paid in connection with the construction, expansion or
redevelopment of a commercial project, including, but not limited to,
planning and zoning fees, engineering fees, and building fees.
•Expending City resources to conduct off -site public infrastructure
required for the development of a commercial or industrial project.
•Assisting with regional retention and storm -water drainage issues.
•Assistance with parking issues up to and including city participation in
the development of parking structures.
2.Area 2: Encompasses the Central Apache Trail Redevelopment Area from
Delaware to Thunderbird, along West Apache Trail.
Illustrative of the types of incentives to be provided in this area include:
•Rebate of development fees, and/or rebate of any other fees required
to be paid in connection with the construction, expansion or
redevelopment of a commercial project, including, but not limited to,
planning and zoning fees, engineering fees, and building fees.
•Expending City resources to conduct off -site public infrastructure
required for the development of a commercial or industrial project.
•Assisting with regional retention and storm -water drainage issues.
•Assistance with parking issues up to and including city participation in
the development of parking structures.
•Assistance with lot acquisition.
•Provide, improvements to adjacent residential neighborhoods.
•Adjustment in parking requirements as well as implementation of city
parking programs..•
•Allowance for phased improvements to bring buildings up to code.
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3.Area 3: Encompasses the Crossroads Redevelopment Area from
Thunderbird to approximately Winchester.
Illustrative of the types of incentives to be provided in this area include:
•Rebate of development fees, and/or rebate of any other fees required
to be paid in connection with the construction, expansion or
redevelopment of a commercial project, including, but not limited to,
planning and zoning fees, engineering fees, and building fees.
•Expending City resources to conduct off -site public infrastructure
required for the development of a commercial project.
•Property improvement programs to include access to low interest loans
and architectural assistance.
•Adjustment in parking requirements as well as implementation of city
parking programs.
•Reconfiguration of streets and/or traffic flow.
•Fully developing the public "streetscape" throughout the area.
•Allowance for phased improvements to bring buildings up to code.
,•Asskstance, with business relocation and expansion costs.
•Provide stoem--water solutions.
•Public Parking ;assistance up to and including parking structures and
•Shared policing strategies.
C.Administration of Incentives:
Deterrnination'eavailable assistance and site qualifications shall be the
determination of the City Manager or the City Manager's designee.
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