26-2774: A Resolution of the City of Mansfield, Texas, Approving an Economic Incentive and Developer Agreement Between the City of Mansfield, Texas and Housing Channel; Finding That the Meeting at Which this Resolution is Passed is Open to the Public as Required by Law; Authorizing the City Manager or His Designee to Execute Said Agreement; and Declaring an Effective Date

Staff Report & Agenda Item Details

Housing Channel is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing opportunities, homebuyer assistance, and down payment assistance programs throughout North Texas. Housing Channel is developing the L. Clifford Davis residential project near Historic Downtown Mansfield at the intersection of Hunt Street and 2nd Avenue. The development consists of 30 residential units, including 24 townhomes and six live/work units that will combine ground-floor commercial space with upper-level residential living quarters. The development is a partnership among Housing Channel, Tarrant County Community Development, and other community partners and is intended to expand housing opportunities while contributing to the continued investment in and around Historic Downtown Mansfield. The project is located immediately adjacent to the City's existing Downtown Neighborhood Empowerment Zone (NEZ). Development within the NEZ may be eligible for the waiver or reduction of certain development-related fees. Rather than further expanding the boundaries of the Downtown NEZ, the proposed Chapter 380 Agreement provides similar assistance specifically for this project. The proposed grant does not include a cash payment or reimbursement to the developer. Instead, the City will reduce eligible development fees by 50 percent, consistent with the approach previously utilized for the Habitat for Humanity development at Sayers Landing. Additionally, the City's Trail Master Plan identifies an 8-foot trail segment through this area. Housing Channel will be responsible for the cost equivalent of constructing the typical 5-foot sidewalk required with the development, while the City will participate in the incremental cost associated with increasing the width to the planned 8-foot trail. The L. Clifford David project will add new residential housing opportunities near Historic Downtown Mansfield, introduce live/work housing to the area, and support continued investment in the surrounding neighborhood

This motion is scored as RESTRAINS_GOVERNMENT (Impact Weight: 4.2/10). Under the Bastiat Liberty Watchdog Index, voting YES on measures that cap or reduce ad valorem tax burdens, expand taxpayer exemptions, retire debt early, enforce competitive bidding caps, or remove regulatory/zoning barriers to private property rights earns a positive Pro-Liberty score.