RESOLUTION NO.  ____

 

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POLICY OF THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS RELATING TO THE KANSAS NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION ACT, KANSAS NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS IN LAWRENCE, KANSAS, THEIR ESTABLISHMENT AND OBJECTIVES FOR SAID DISTRICTS AND PROJECTS UNDER THE ACT.

 

 

            WHEREAS, the City of Lawrence, Kansas (the “City”), on April 3rd, 2007 adopted Ordinance 8093 which created the first plan of the City under the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act, the “Act”, as provided in K.S.A. 12-17, 114 et seq., said plan and program being for the 8th & Pennsylvania District; and

 

WHEREAS, the City desires to extend the opportunities as provided in the Act to other areas of the City, and the City recognizes the Act as an important economic development tool to stimulate the local economy and improve the quality of life for its citizens; and

 

            WHEREAS, the City finds it in the best interest of the public to establish certain policies and guidelines for the consideration of proposals that may be presented to the City, including the establishment and use of Neighborhood Revitalization Districts; and

 

WHEREAS, by adopting this policy the City has determined that the use of the Act should be reserved for projects which further an important and clearly definable public interest of the City, and the City desires to restrict those projects which may be eligible for assistance under the Act, to those projects which meet the requirements and goals set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the City desires to use the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act for those projects which demonstrate the highest public benefit by, financing desirable public improvements, strengthening the employment and economic base, increasing property values, reducing poverty, creating economic stability, preserving older neighborhoods, facilitating economic self sufficiency, and implementing the economic and neighborhood development goals of the City.

 

 

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE KANSAS NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION ACT POLICY FOR THE CITY OF LAWRENCE, KANSAS, WILL BE AS FOLLOWS:

 

 

 

SECTION ONE: POLICY STATEMENT:

 

A.                 It shall be the policy of the City to consider creation of a Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization District for areas of the City which further the goals as set forth herein.

 

B.                 Two principal areas for creation of Neighborhood Revitalization Districts shall be:

1)     Designated Neighborhoods

2)     The Downtown Commercial District

 

C.                The Policy Goals shall be:

1)     To create districts for neighborhoods where a majority of households have a low/moderate income as defined by U.S. Census Data.

2)     To encourage preservation and improvement of historic properties.

3)     To provide incentives for owner occupied housing and encourage home ownership.

4)     To provide incentives for investment and redevelopment in the Designated Neighborhoods and the Downtown Commercial  District.

5)     To promote the health, stability and prosperity of the Designated Neighborhoods and the Downtown Commercial District through application of the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act.

 

SECTION TWO:  EVALUATION OF NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS. 

 

The Governing Body may from time to time review districts established pursuant to the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act to evaluate whether said districts continue to meet the policy goals as expressed in this Resolution.

 

SECTION THREE:  CONSIDERATION OF PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS. 

 

The Governing Body may declare a structure or property outside of a neighborhood revitalization area eligible for tax rebates if it satisfies the conditions set forth in the Kansas Neighborhood Revitalization Act, K.S.A. 12-17, 114 et seq.  Upon such a finding, the Governing Body shall forward its declaration to the participating taxing entities for their consideration and approval.

 

                                                                                      

SECTION FOUR:    AUTHORITY OF GOVERNING BODY.  The Governing Body reserves the right to deviate from any policy, but not any procedure set forth in this Resolution or any other procedural requirements of state law, when it considers such action to be of exceptional benefit to the City or extraordinary circumstances prevail that are in the best interests of the City.

 

SECTION FIVE:       EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Resolution shall take effect after passage and publication as provided by law.

 

 

            ADOPTED by the Governing Body this ______ day of ________________, 200_.

 

 

 

 

                                                                       

________________________________

Sue Hack, Mayor

 

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

___________________________

Frank S. Reeb, City Clerk