(a) The area designated as the Downtown Community Reinvestment Area constitutes an area in which housing facilities or structures of historical significance are located, and in which new construction or repair of existing facilities has been discouraged.
(b) The boundaries of the Downtown Community Reinvestment Area are as follows:
Downtown: Bounded on the west by the Muskingum River from the Y-Bridge northward to the Interstate-70 right of way, bounded on the east by Underwood Street, a portion of Greenwood Avenue from Fountain Square to Main Street, 9th Street, and Wayne Avenue between Marietta Street and Hughes Street and bounded on the south by Hughes Street from Wayne Avenue to Canal Street, and Canal Street and the Muskingum River to the Y-Bridge and point of beginning.
(c) Only residential, commercial and/or industrial properties consistent with the applicable zoning regulations within the designated Community Reinvestment Area will be eligible for exemptions under this program.
(d) Within the Community Reinvestment Area, the percentage of the tax exemption on the increase in the assessed valuation resulting from improvements to commercial and industrial real property and the term of those exemptions shall be negotiated on a case-by-case basis in advance of construction or remodeling occurring according to the rules outlined in ORC Section 3765.67. The results of the negotiation as approved by this Council will be set in writing in a Community Reinvestment Area Agreement as outlined in ORC Section 3735.671. For residential property, a tax exemption on the increase in the assessed valuation resulting from improvements as described in ORC Section 3735.67 shall be granted upon proper application by the property owner and certification thereof by the designated Housing Office for the following periods. Residential applications must be filed with the Housing Officer no later than six months after construction completion. The percentage of the tax exemption on the increase in the assessed valuation resulting from improvements to residential properties shall be 100% of the assessment.
(1) Five years, (term the same for all) for the remodeling of dwellings containing not more than two housing units and upon which cost of remodeling is at least $2,500, as described in ORC Section 3735.67.
(2) Six years (negotiated - up to 12 years) for existing commercial and industrial facilities shall be negotiated on a case-by-case basis in advance of at least $5,000 of construction or remodeling occurring.
(3) Eight years (negotiated - up to 15 years) for new commercial or industrial facilities shall be negotiated on a case-by-case basis in advance of construction occurring.
If remodeling qualifies for an exemption, during the period of the exemption, the exempted percentage of the dollar amount of the increase in market value of the structure shall be exempt from real property taxation. If new construction qualifies for an exemption, during the period of the exemption, the exempted percentage of the structure shall not be considered to be an improvement on the land on which it is located for the purpose of real property taxation.
(e) All commercial and industrial projects are required to comply with the state application fee requirements of ORC Section 3735.672(C).
(f) To administer and implement the provisions of this section, the City Community Development Department is designated as the Housing Officer as described in Ohio R.C. 3735.65 through 3735.70.
(g) Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council.
(1) A Community Reinvestment Area Housing Council shall be created, consisting of two members appointed by the Mayor, two members appointed by the Council and one member appointed by the Planning Commission. The majority of the members shall then appoint two additional members who shall be residents within the area. Terms of the members of the Council shall be for three years. An unexpired term resulting from a vacancy in the Council shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment was made.
(2) A Tax Incentive Review Council has been established pursuant to ORC Section 5709.85 and consists of three representatives appointed by the Board of County Commissioners, two representatives of the municipal corporation, appointed by the Municipal CEO with Council concurrence, the County Auditor or designee and a representative of each affected Board of Education. At least two members must be residents of the City. The Tax Incentive Review Council shall review annually the compliance of all agreements involving the granting of exemptions for commercial or industrial real property improvements under Section 3735.671, of the ORC and make written recommendations to the Council as to continuing, modifying or terminating said agreement based upon the performance of the agreement.
(h) City Council reserves the right to re-evaluate the designation of the Community Reinvestment Area after December 31, 2004 (ODOD suggests an annual review) at which time the Council may direct the Housing Officer not to accept any new applications for exemptions as described in Section 3735.67 of the ORC.
(i) The Review Council shall also hear appeals under 3735.70 of the ORC.
(Ord. 03-107. Passed 12-22-03.)
(j) (1) Council hereby reaffirms Ordinance 03-107 (Section 137.05
) establishing and describing the boundaries of the Downtown Community Reinvestment Area.
(2) The map attached to Ordinance 06-10 as Exhibit B, dated October 3, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference, illustrates the same identical boundaries of the Downtown Community Reinvestment Area.
(Ord. 06-10. Passed 1-23-06.)