Council approves several development plans and considers tax incentives for local businesses

Council reviewed and, in several cases, approved development plans and Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) agreements for local projects.

Planning staff presented and council approved resolution 26-59 to permit a 1,842-square-foot Take 5 Oil Change facility as part of the Trailhead West development. Separately, staff described a 12,250-square-foot light auto-repair facility (Snappies) and a related CRA application that proposes a multi-year real-property tax abatement; staff recommended approval and explained the project would free up older industrial space and create modest new employment while generating a pilot payment to compensate schools. Economic-development staff also recommended a 15-year CRA for Howell Properties to build nearly 39,000 sq ft of new multi-tenant industrial space; staff cited a marked shortage of flex industrial inventory and presented payroll and job estimates.

Council debated the Snappies CRA length and percentage and clarified the mechanics of the 100% exemption on paper versus pilot payments to schools; staff noted the school board had approved the school-compensation arrangement. For the speculative Fed 1 building in Sawmill, staff urged approval of a 75%-for-15-years CRA to replicate the terms of a neighboring approved building; council approved the ordinance to allow the developer to move forward with construction financing.