Georgetown council backs application to renew downtown development district, proposes boundary tweaks
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Summary
The council voted to authorize a five-year renewal application for the downtown development district, with staff proposing removal of seven properties and reallocation of acreage to reach about 104.5 acres to maximize state incentives; staff cited roughly $11 million in private investment since the district began.
Georgetown — The town council voted unanimously Jan. 12 to authorize the town to apply for a five-year renewal of its downtown development district (DDD), a step staff said will preserve incentives that helped attract about $11,000,000 in private investment.
Planning Commissioner Brian told the council the draft renewal includes boundary adjustments to bring the district to about 104.5 acres (the statutory maximum is 105 acres). The proposal would remove seven properties from the district — two town-owned buildings, three state-owned parcels (including the Family Court building and two adjacent parking lots) and two properties owned by First State Community Action Agency — and reallocate that acreage eastward into parts of Kimmytown and North Bedford Street to better target redevelopment opportunities.
"We looked to take out certain properties that were not qualified to receive downtown development district incentives," Brian said, describing the changes as a way to "maximize the acreage that we're able to use for a downtown development district." He said some publicly used facilities are unlikely to qualify for the state rebates that are the most lucrative incentives.
The staff presentation said the original DDD spurred several dozen new businesses and "over $11,000,000 of private investment," and added that the town has seen roughly 150 new employees within the district. Brian said two large projects already had reservations to pursue large state investments: one on North Ray Street and a second called "Georgetown Apartments 2" on Grama Town Road.
Council members asked procedural questions about notice and timelines; staff confirmed certified letters were sent to affected owners and that no responses were received. Brian noted the application deadline set by the state is Feb. 1 and the council could brief the public further at an upcoming meeting before filing the application.
The council approved Resolution 202601, which authorizes the town to apply for the five-year extension, by roll call vote.
What happens next: Staff said they will finalize the application materials and may present a fuller plan review at a future meeting before submitting the application to the state.
