City of Waco Economic Development

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION/REHAB FEE
WAIVER PROGRAM

CITY OF WACO GUIDELINES & POLICY STATEMENT

PROGRAM GOAL:

The City of Waco is committed to the promotion of the development of the Brazos River Corridor and the downtown Public Improvement District and to the ongoing improvement of the quality of life for its citizens. Insofar as these goals are served by the enhancement of the tax base through increased investment and the expansion of the local economy, the City of Waco will give consideration to waiving certain development fees for projects which are in the Brazos River Corridor and/or Public Improvement District located within the Waco city limits.

The Building Construction/Rehab Fee Waiver Program affords property owners an exemption from fees associated with the construction and occupancy; and/or renovation and re-use of residential and commercial dwellings within the target area.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES:

Applicable fees for which a waiver or waivers may be offered include the following:

Building permit
Water
Sewer
Landfill (for construction disposals of up to $6,ooo)

PROGRAM POLICY:

It is the policy of the City of Waco that consideration will be provided in accordance with the guidelines, criteria and procedures outlined in this document. This policy applies to the owners of real property only. Project consideration will include the potential impact of the reinvestment project on the surrounding area.

There shall be no retroactive fee waiver. All waivers are effective only on or after the City Council authorizes a waiver to the applicant in question. The applicant shall agree to hold the City of Waco, its agents, and public officials harmless and pay all attorney's fees that are generated by any dispute regarding a fee waiver.

The City Council may place a requirement in a fee waiver agreement that the applicant secure a bank letter of credit in favor of the City to guarantee that funds are available to complete the construction and/or renovation project proposed by the applicant.

PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES:

Any person, partnership, organization, corporation or other entity desiring that the City of Waco consider a fee waiver in order to encourage the location or relocation, within the designated target area, shall be required to comply with the following procedural guidelines. No representations made herein are considered binding unless and until approved by the City of Waco City Council.

A. Applicant shall submit an application requesting a waiver. Only complete applications will be processed for Council consideration.

B. Revisions to the original application prior to City approval, which reduces the value of proposed improvements by 10% or greater, are considered new applications and must undergo full review by staff.

C. Applicants shall address all criteria questions outlined under the section titled "Project Impact Data".

D. Applicant shall provide a site plan showing the precise location of the property; all roadways & land uses within 500 feet of the site; and the kind, number, location and type of improvements being proposed.

E. The City may request that an applicant provide substantial proof of the economic feasibility of the overall project to assist in determining the proposed project's long-term benefit to the city.

F. The applicant shall submit all information requested to the City Manager, City of Waco, P.O. Box 2570, Waco, Texas 76702-2570.

G. All information in the application package will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy. The application will be distributed to the appropriate City departments for internal review and comments. Additional information may be requested as needed.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:

Architectural:

When possible, the historical architecture of the area should be preserved in the redevelopment process.
The integrity of each building should be maintained through the repair or reconstruction of original architectural features such as doors, windows, canopies, etc.
Original exteriors should be retained and restored when possible.
When refinishing of the exterior walls is unavoidable, new exterior finishes should be compatible with the original in color, texture and scale.
Consideration should be given to the removal of contemporary materials covering original facades.
Signage should blend with and enhance the character of the area.

Exterior Building Repairs

All abandoned electrical, plumbing, drainage, and other mechanical equipment should be removed from the building.
New mechanical systems and utility service should be installed so as not to detract from the appearance of the building.
Leave openings intact, where possible. The blocking or boarding of window and doors should be avoided.
Attractive rear entrances utilizing awnings, lighting, landscaping, and appropriate signage are encouraged.
Lighting and landscaping should be carefully designed and located so as to create an aesthetically pleasing and safe environment.
Landscaping and signage shall conform to specifications set out in the City of Waco zoning ordinance.

PROJECT IMPACT DATA:

In responding to the following questions, the applicant should indicate the appropriate time frames in which the proposed events and/or impacts will occur, where applicable. It is understood that the responses to these questions will be, out of necessity, estimates only. However, the applicant should endeavor to provide the most accurate estimates possible based upon available information. The applicant may be requested by the City to describe the methodologies utilized to respond to the questions and supply supporting documentation.

Proposed Improvements:

Identify and describe the kind, number, location and type of all proposed real or personal property improvements/additions and discuss the project's development schedule.
What infrastructure construction will be required to serve the proposed project? What is the cost of this construction?

Fiscal Impact:

How much real and personal property value will be added to the tax roll by the end of the construction/renovation period?
Will the project generate any sales tax?
Will this proposed project affect existing businesses? If so, how?
What will be the cost to the City of Waco to provide municipal services to the proposed project?
What will be the estimated fiscal impact on the local school district? County government? Other taxing entities?

Community Impact:

What affect (approximately) will the proposed project have on the target area's residential community? Local (city-wide) housing market?
What environmental impact, if any, will be created by the project?
Is the proposed project compatible with the City's Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance? Brazos Corridor Development Plan? Public Improvement District goals?
Will rezoning and platting/replatting be required?

The criteria outlined in this section, along with any other relevant requested information, will be used to determine whether or not it is in the best interest of the City to waive the requested fees. Specific considerations will include the degree to which the individual project furthers the goals and objectives of the immediate area, as well as the relative impact of the project on the community.

EFFECT OF SALE, ASSIGNMENT OR LEASE OF PROPERTY:

Fee waivers may not be sold or assigned without the approval of the City. Any sale, assignment or lease of the property that brings a significant change in the proposed facility's use may result in forfeiture of all fee waivers and subject the intended beneficiary to payment of all or part of the fees previously waived.

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION/REHAB FEE WAIVER PROGRAM