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Elk Park Redevelopment Commission creates Downtown Elkhart Allocation Area No. 7; amends downtown plan to allow parking projects
Summary
The commission approved a confirming resolution creating Elkhart Downtown Allocation Area No. 7 and adopted limited amendments to the downtown and Casaopolis area plans to make structured or surface parking eligible uses of TIF funds.
The Elk Park Redevelopment Commission on May 13 approved a confirming resolution creating Elkhart Downtown Allocation Area No. 7 and adopted limited amendments to the downtown and Casaopolis area plans to allow use of tax-increment financing for parking to support sports, entertainment or housing projects.
The action, presented during a public hearing with no speakers, was described by a staff member as the “final step of the process of creating the allocation area.” The staff member said prior approvals had been obtained from the redevelopment commission, the planning commission and the city council. The commission then voted to approve the confirming resolution by voice vote.
Why it matters: creating an allocation area is the mechanism that lets the commission capture future incremental property tax revenue for redevelopment within the designated boundary. The staff member told commissioners the amendment to the downtown and Casaopolis area plans was “fairly limited” and adds language allowing either structured or surface parking to be eligible activities or uses of funds in support of certain development projects.
The commission’s action follows earlier steps in the review process. Commissioners opened a public hearing for the confirmatory resolution; there were no public comments, the hearing was closed and a motion to approve passed. The resolution and the plan amendment were presented together during the same agenda sequence.
The commission’s materials identify the new allocation area as serving the River District and as a single-site property carved out to support a negotiated development agreement that includes mixed-use development and a structured parking garage.
The commission did not set implementation dates in the meeting record. Staff said other required approvals had already been completed. No public opposition or requests for changes were recorded during the hearing.
The commission also confirmed related plan language that would make parking projects eligible for TIF funding in both the downtown urban renewal area and the Casaopolis Street Corridor economic development area; staff said the change was tied to Allocation Area No. 7.
A copy of the confirming resolution and the amended plan language are part of the commission packet for May 13; the commission authorized staff to finalize documents as appropriate.
