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Commission backs Amber Point tax‑credit application with city incentive package
Summary
The commission approved city incentives to support a proposed 40‑unit low‑income housing tax‑credit project (Amber Point) in the Scenic Woods PUD, agreeing to sales‑tax exemption and fee waivers to help the project compete for state tax‑credit points, 5‑0.
The Manhattan City Commission on May 6 approved a city incentive package intended to help a proposed Amber Point affordable housing project secure state low‑income housing tax credits. The package includes the city’s intent to issue industrial revenue bonds, a sales‑tax exemption and waivers or payment of selected municipal fees, and it passed on a 5‑0 roll call.
Stephanie Peterson, director of community development, said the developer has been invited to submit a formal application for the state’s 9% tax credit round and that municipal support — including a sales‑tax exemption and fee relief — improves the project’s scoring. The applicant, Wayne Mortensen of Excel Development Group, described Amber Point as a 40‑unit apartment project sited on the western portion of a remaining tract in the Scenic Woods PUD and said the project mixes income levels and will be subject to extended compliance for affordability.
Mortensen said his team intends to follow Kansas Housing Resources guidelines on quality and durability, and noted previous Manhattan experience with similar projects. During Q&A the developer noted the tax‑credit compliance period and local stewardship plans: the compliance regime for projects of this type requires extended affordability commitments and the applicant said they would seek to partner with a local nonprofit for long‑term stewardship if awarded credits.
Commissioners approved two related resolutions: one indicating the city’s intent to issue bonds and grant a sales‑tax exemption, and a second approving municipal incentives (waiver or payment of building permit fees and utility connection fees) to support the application. The commission approved language that allows payment of the building permit fee from the city’s workforce‑housing sales tax if the commission prefers that funding route.
The roll call approving the resolutions was unanimous: Commissioners Mota, Mitten, Adamczyk, Opelt and Mayor McCullough — yes. The motion carried 5‑0.
Staff said the incentive package is conditional on state award of tax credits and that, if awarded, the developer will return for any required bond or allowance documentation and remain subject to normal permitting and utility‑connection reviews.
