Developer asks for tax phase-in (02/06/07)

A Fort Wayne developer is hoping the city will grant a potential project some tax relief.

Members of the Portland City Council heard a request from Bob Mosser, chief financial officer of Keller Development, Inc., for a 10-year tax abatement on the creation of a 56-unit apartment complex in the city. The complex would be located north of CrownPointe Communities, an assisted living center and condominiums between Jay County Hospital and the Wal-Mart Supercenter.

Having never granted such a request, council members chose Monday to take some time and think about it before making a decision.

Jay County Auditor Freda Corwin said this morning that housing developments may be granted tax abatements under Indiana Code if they are in an economic revitalization area, are for several families or if they are for people with low incomes.

Mosser said this morning that the location has been designated as an economic revitalization area. His company has been granted a tax abatement in the past for such areas in other communities, he said.

The plan is to create one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments on the land, which is owned by Heritage Commons Portland LLC. Mosser said Heritage Commons is requesting the abatement on behalf of Keller Development. Construction of the complex is estimated to cost $4,225,000. Heritage Commons is the former name of CrownPointe.

"This budget is extremely tight. The abatement would definitely help," Mosser said.

Council member Jim Sanders asked who would live in the apartments. Mosser said the apartments would be for families and singles.

Dolphus Stephens, also a member of the council, asked what the timeline would be. Mosser said plans call for ground to be broken late this summer or early fall with completion within a year.

Council president Judy Aker suggested the request be taken under advisement.

"I would like to study it more," said council member Glen Bryant. The council took no action on the request.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said the council might be ready to take some action on the matter at the next meeting which will be held Feb. 20 at 7 p.m.

Also Monday, council members:

•Voted to rezone 4.84 acres on Portland's west side to make way for a Holiday Inn Express.

Scott Daniels, project developer, asked for the land to be rezoned to highway service from agricultural. The request was granted with the stipulation that construction must take place within a year or the land goes back to being zoned agricultural. Daniels has an agreement to purchase the property from Eugene and Jane Gillum. The land is located just west of CrossRoads Financial Federal Credit Union.

Daniels said Monday that the hotel will have a pool and elevator. The hotel project is expected to open in the spring of 2008, he said.

•Approved a city ordinance for military leave.

Linda Kennedy, the city's clerk-treasurer, said there currently is no ordinance for how to handle city employees taking a leave of absence for military duties. The ordinance states that any full-time employee will be given 15 days pay for military training leave. It also says the employee must give the Portland Board of Works the expected date of departure and completion of the training.

•Heard a member of the family of the late Ray Miller thank the council for a recent resolution passed by the council in his honor.

Mickey Pensinger, Miller's daughter and the city court judge, said, "We appreciate every one of you and your efforts on that."

•Heard Hosier report he is still waiting to hear from Indiana Department of Transportation officials on whether or not the city was approved for a traffic light at the intersection of Industrial Park Drive and Votaw Street. Hosier said he expected to news to be favorable.[[In-content Ad]]