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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEDC Minutes 2019-09-04 RegularCommunity and Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes September 4, 2019 Call to order The meeting was called to order by Chair Skip Evans at 3:30 p.m. 2. Roll Call Roll call was made with a quorum present. Present: Chair Skip Evans, Vice Chair Jennifer Whitley, Meg Crowley, Blaise Guzzetta, Thomas Hinckley, Pauline Moore Absent: Mike Hickey Also present: City Councilmembers Brent Erenwert and Trish Hanks, Friendswood Chamber of Commerce President Carol Marcantel, Planning and Zoning Commissioner Brett Banfield, and Friendswood Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Amber Petree 3. Communications from the Public None 4. Consideration/approval of meeting minutes A. August 7, 2019 Blaise Guzzetta made a motion to approve the August 7, 2019 meeting minutes. Meg Crowley seconded, all in favor, motion carried unanimously. 5. Discussion and possible action regarding A. Friendswood Cares Business Visits The committee reviewed and discussed businesses that were previously visit and also discussed future business visits. The next CEDC lunch will be scheduled at Nobi Asian Grill. Meg and Jennifer volunteered to visit the business, Luxie Plum. Visits with AAA Blastcote and Friendswood Hardware will also be scheduled. B. Possible amendments to the Downtown Neighborhood Empowerment Zone Karen Capps provided an overview of the Downtown Neighborhood Empowerment Zone that was established in 2008. The Downtown NEZ waives all City fees related to construction and development including zoning, platting, site plan review, building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas permits as well as water and sewer impact fees for businesses that are zoned downtown district and are operating for -profit. The committee discussed possible changing the NEZ to only waive fees for new developments within the downtown district or where a structure in the district has lost its nonconformity. Ms. Capps stated that many of the permit fees that are waived are for roof maintenance or replacement, tenant occupancy, subcontractor permits that the cost savings may not be passed on to the developer. The committee also discussed that at some time in the future, waiving fees may not be needed to attract economic development to the downtown area. Following discussion, Blaise Guzzetta made a motion to amend the Downtown Neighborhood Empowerment Zone to waive fees for new developments within the downtown district or where a structure in the district has lost its nonconformity for those businesses that are operating for -profit and are zoned downtown district. Meg Crowley seconded the motion and it carried unanimously in the committee. C. Commercial development Karen Capps gave an update on commercial development that is planned or underway. 6. Staff Report None 7. Member comments Meg Crowley reported that Drinks, Drafts, and Downtowners is scheduled for Thursday, September 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Brasserie 1895 restaurant. 8. Liaison reports Carol Marcantel reported that the Chamber Business and Healthcare Expo will be held on Thursday, September 19 from 2 to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church at 202 E. Heritage. The City will have a booth there. Amber Petree reported that FISD's new budget is $53.6 million with 80 percent of the budget for salaries. 9. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.