An Act Relating to the Vermont Downtown Development Board
AS PASSED BY HOUSE AND SENATEH.208
2002Page 1
H.208
AN ACT RELATING TO THE VERMONT DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. 24 V.S.A. § 2791(5) and (10) are amended and (11) is added to read:
(5) “Downtown development nonprofit corporation” means a nonprofit corporation that is designated to implement the community reinvestment agreement under subdivision 2793(b)(2) of this title. A nonprofit corporation established by the Vermont economic development authority shall be considered qualified for purposes of this chapter. “Local downtown organization” means either a nonprofit corporation, including a nonprofit corporation established by the Vermont Economic Development Authority, or a board, council, or commission created by the legislative body of the municipality, whose primary purpose is to administer and implement the community reinvestment agreement and other matters regarding the revitalization of the downtown district under subdivision 2793(b)(2) of this title.
(10) “Local board” means a board, council, commission or organization selected or appointed by the legislative body of a municipality which is empowered by law with the primary administration, oversight, regulation or adjudication of matters of a district listed in subdivision 2793(b)(1) of Title 32. “Village center” means a traditional center of the community, typically comprised of a cohesive core of residential, civic, religious, and commercial buildings, arranged along a main street and intersecting streets. Industrial uses may be found within or immediately adjacent to these centers.
(11) “New town center” means the area planned for or developing as a community’s central business district, composed of compact, pedestrianfriendly, multistory, and mixed use development that is characteristic of a traditional downtown, supported by planned or existing urban infrastructure, including curbed streets with sidewalks and on-street parking, stormwater treatment, sanitary sewers and public water supply.
Sec. 1a. 24 V.S.A. § 2793 is amended to read:
§ 2793. DESIGNATION OF DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS
(a) A municipality, by its legislative body, may apply to the state board for designation of a downtown area within that municipality as a downtown development district. An application by a municipality shall contain a map delineating the district,that accurately delineates the district. The application shall also include evidence that the regional planning commission and the regional development corporation have been notified of the municipality’s intent to apply, evidence that the municipality has published notice of its application in a local newspaper of general circulation within the municipality, and information showing that the district meets the standards for designation established in subsection (b) of this section. Upon receipt of an application, the state board shall provide written notice of the application to the environmental board. The environmental board and interested persons shall have 15 days after notice to submit written comments regarding the application before the state board issues a written decision that demonstrates the applicant’s compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
(b) Within 45 days of receipt of a completed application, the state board shall designate a downtown development district if the state board finds, with respect to that districtin its written decision, that the municipality has:
(1) demonstrated a planning commitment through the adoption of a design control district, an historic district, an urban renewal district, or through the creation of a development review board authorized to undertake local Act 250 reviews pursuant to section 4449 of this title; and
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(3) a planning process confirmed under section 4350 of this title.
Sec. 2. 24 V.S.A. § 2793(b)(2)(D) is amended to read:
(D) an organizational structure necessary to sustain a comprehensive long-term downtown revitalization effort, including a local board or designation of the entity that will qualify as the downtown development nonprofit corporationdowntown organization as defined under subdivision 2791(5) of this title;
Sec. 3. 24 V.S.A. § 2793(b)(2)(E) is amended to read:
(E) evidence that any private or municipal sewage system and private or public water supply serving the proposed downtown district is in compliance with the requirements of chapters 47 and 56 of Title 10, and that the municipality has dedicated a portion of any unallocated reserve capacity of the sewage and public water supply for growth within the proposed downtown district. Any municipality proposing a municipal sewage system and public water supply to serve the proposed downtown district shall provide evidence to the state board of a commitment to construct or maintain such a system and supply in compliance with requirements of chapters 47 and 56 of Title 10, or a commitment to construct, as applicable, a permittable potable water supply, wastewater system, indirect discharge or public water supply within no more than ten years. A commitment to construct does not relieve the property owners in the district from meeting the applicable regulations of the agency of natural resources regarding wastewater systems, potable water supplies, public water supplies, indirect discharges, and the subdivision of land. In the event that a municipality fails in its commitment to construct a municipal sewage system and public water supply, the state board shall revoke designation and the incentives that accrue pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 2794 from that date forward, unless the municipality demonstrates to the state board that all good faith efforts were made and continue to be made to obtain the required approvals and permits from the agency of natural resources, and failure to construct was due to unavailability of state or federal matching loan funds.;
* * * Designation Process and Benefits * * *
Sec. 4. 24 V.S.A. § 2793a is added to read:
§ 2793a. DESIGNATION OF VILLAGE CENTERS BY STATE BOARD
(a) A town that has a duly adopted and approved town plan and a planning process that is confirmed in accordance with section 4350 of this title, and that has given notice to the regional planning commission and the regional development corporation of its intent to apply for this designation, may apply to the state board for designation of its village center. An application for designation must include a map that delineates the boundaries of the village center consistent with the definition of “village center” provided in subdivision 2791(10) of this title.
(b) Within 45 days of receipt of a completed application, the state board shall designate a village center if the state board finds the applicant has met the requirements of subsection (a) of this section.
(c) A town with a village center designated by the state board pursuant to subsection (a) of this section is eligible for the following development incentives and benefits:
(1) provided the proposal is eligible, priority consideration for municipal planning funds under section 4306 of this title for projects that are related to the designated village center;
(2) inclusion of a village center, as defined in this chapter, as a priority growth center in the state’s consolidated plan for housing and community development programs;
(3) the authority to create a special taxing district pursuant to chapter87 of this title for the purpose of financing both capital and operating costs of a project within the boundaries established through village center designation;
(4) a state tax credit of five percent under section 5930n of Title 32 to owners or lessees of certified historic structures located in village centers for qualified expenditures;
(5) a state tax credit of 50 percent under section 5930r of Title 32 to owners or lessees of buildings in village centers that serve as general stores or house post offices;
(6) whenever the commissioner of the department of buildings and general services or other state officials in charge of selecting a site are planning to lease or construct buildings suitable to being located in a village center after determining that the option of utilizing existing space in a downtown development district pursuant to subdivision 2794(a)(14) of this title is not feasible, the option of utilizing existing space in a designated village center shall be given thorough investigation and priority, in consultation with the community.
(d) The state board shall review a village center designation every three years. If, at the time of the review, the state board determines that the village center no longer meets the standards for designation established in subsection (a) of this section, it may take any of the following actions:
(1) require corrective action;
(2) provide technical assistance through the Vermont downtown program; or
(3) remove the village center’s designation, with such removal not affecting any of the village center’s previously awarded benefits.
Sec. 4a. 24 V.S.A. § 2793b is added to read:
§ 2793b. DESIGNATION OF NEW TOWN CENTER DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICTS
(a) A municipality, by its legislative body, may apply to the state board for designation of an area within that municipality as a new town center development district, provided no traditional downtown or new town center already exists in that municipality. An application by a municipality shall contain a map delineating the district, evidence that the regional planning commission and the regional development corporation have been notified of the municipality’s intent to apply, and information showing the district meets the standards for designation established in subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Within 45 days of receipt of a completed application, the state board shall designate a new town center development district if the state board finds, with respect to that district, the municipality has:
(1) a confirmed planning process under section 4350 of this title, and developed a municipal center plan and regulations to implement the plan, including an official map,and a design control district created under this title; and
(2) provided a community investment agreement that has been executed by authorized representatives of the municipal government, businesses, and property owners within the district, and community groups with an articulated purpose of supporting downtown interests, and contains the following:
(A) A map of the designated new town centerdesigned to accommodate a majorityof the community’s growth needs for the next 20years.
(B) Regulations enabling high densities that are greater than those allowed in any other part of the municipality.
(C) Regulations enabling multistory andmixed use buildings and mixed uses which enable the development of buildings in a compact manner.
(D) A capital improvement program, or a capital budget and program under this title, showing a clear plan for providing public infrastructure within the center, including facilities for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, public space, lighting, and transportation, includingpublic transit, parking, and pedestrian amenities.
(E) A clear plan for mixed incomehousing in the new town center.
(F) Evidence that civic and public buildings do exist, or will exist in the center, as shown by the capital improvement plan or the capital budget and program, and the official map.
(G) An organizational structure necessary to sustain a comprehensive long-term development effort, including a local board or designation of the entity that will qualify as the downtown development nonprofit corporation under subdivision 2791(5) of this title, with funding provided as necessary to support the organizational effort.
(H) Evidence that any private or municipal sewage system and private or public water supply serving the proposed new town center are in compliance with the requirements of chapters 47 and 56 of Title 10, and that the municipality has dedicated a portion of any unallocated reserve capacity of the sewage and public water supply necessary to support growth within the proposed new town center. Any municipality proposing a municipal sewage system and public water supply to serve the proposed new town center shall provide evidence to the state board of a commitment to construct or maintain such a system and supply in compliance with requirements of chapters 47 and 56 of Title 10, or a commitment to construct, as applicable, a permittable potable water supply, wastewater system, indirect discharge or public water supply within no more than ten years. A commitment to construct does not relieve the property owners in the new town center from meeting the applicable regulations of the agency of natural resources regarding wastewater systems, potable water supplies, public water supplies, indirect discharges, and the subdivision of land. In the event a municipality fails in its commitment to construct a municipal sewage system or public water supply, or both, the state board shall revoke designation, unless the municipality demonstrates to the state board that all good faith efforts were made and continue to be made to obtain the required approvals and permits from the agency of natural resources, and failure to construct was due to unavailability of sufficient state or federal funding.
(c)(1) Upon designation by the state board under this section as a new town center, a new town center and projects in a new town center shall be eligible forthe authority to create a special taxing district, pursuant to chapter87of this title, for the purpose of financing both capital and operating costs of a project within the boundaries established through new town center designation.
(2) Whenever the commissioner of the department of buildings and general services or other state officials in charge of selecting a site are planning to lease or construct buildings suitable to being located in a new town center after determining that the option of utilizing existing space in a downtown development district, pursuant to subdivision 2794(a)(14) of this title, is not feasible, the option of utilizing existing space in a designated new town center shall be given thorough investigation and priority, in consultation with the community.
(d) The state board shall review a new town center designation every three years. If the state board determines the new town center no longer meets the standards for designation established in subsection (b) of this section, it may take any of the following actions:
(1) require corrective action;
(2) provide technical assistance through the Vermont downtown program; or
(3) remove the new town center’s designation, with such removal not affecting any of the town center’s previously awarded benefits.
* * * Downtown Designation; Additional Benefits * * *
Sec. 5. 24 V.S.A. § 2794(a) is amended to read:
(a) Upon designation by the Vermont downtown development board under section 2793 of this title, a downtown development district and projects in a downtown development district shall be eligible for the following:
(1) priority consideration by any agency of the state administering any state or federal assistance program providing funding or other aid to a municipal downtown area with consideration given to such factors as the costs and benefits provided and the immediacy of those benefits, provided the project is eligible for the assistance program;
(2) a state tax credit of fiveten percent under subchapter 11F of chapter 151section 5930n of Title 32 to owners or long-term lessees of certified historic structures located in downtown development districts that meet the requirements for the federal rehabilitation tax credit;
(3) a state tax credit of 25 percent under subchapter 11G of chapter 151section 5930p of Title 32 to owners or lessees of older and historic buildings located in downtown development districts for qualified expenditures;
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(5) eligibility for financing of transportation projects under the state infrastructure bank, created under chapter 12 of Title 10;
(6) eligibilityassistance from the secretary of the agency of natural resources for current owners and prospective purchasers who otherwise qualify under the redevelopment of contaminated sites program under subsection 6615a(f) of Title 10, or in the case of current owners, who are innocent owners. For the purposes of this subsection, an “innocent owner” is an owner who did not:
(A) hold an ownership interest in the property or in any related fixtures or appurtenances, excluding a secured lender’s holding indicia of ownership in the property primarily to assure the repayment of a financial obligation at the time of any disposal of hazardous materials on the property;
(B) directly or indirectly cause or contribute to any releases or threatened releases of hazardous materials at the property;
(C) operate, or control the operation, at the property of a facility for the storage, treatment, or disposal of hazardous materials at the time of the disposal of hazardous materials at the property;
(D) dispose of, or arrange for the disposal of hazardous materials at the property; or
(E) generate the hazardous materials that were disposed of at the property.;
(7) technical assistance by the department of housing and community affairs with regard to planning and coordination issues, including but not limited to, adaptive reuse of buildings within the district, development of a marketing plan for the downtown district that includes a heritage tourism component, development of a program to encourage merchants and building owners to rehabilitate, restore and improve building facades, and, in coordination with the agency of transportation, planning for multi-modal transportation needs of the community.;
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(11) enabling building owners within the district to be eligible for a rebate of the cost of a qualified sprinkler system in an amount not to exceed $2,000.00 for building owners or lessees. Rebates shall be paid by the department of labor and industry. To be qualified, a sprinkler system must be a complete automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accord with department of labor and industry rules in an older or historic building that is certified for a state tax credit under either subchapter 11Fsection 5930n or subchapter 11G of chapter 151section 5930p of Title 32 and is located in a downtown development district. A total of no more than $40,000.00 of rebates shall be granted in any calendar year by the department. If in any year applications for rebates exceed this amount, the department shall grant rebates for qualified systems according to the date the building was certified for a state tax credit under subchapter 11Fsection 5930n or subchapter 11G of chapter 151section 5930p of Title 32 with the earlier date receiving priority.;
(12) eligibility to participateparticipation in the downtown transportation and related capital improvement fund program established by section 2796 of this title;
(13) when considering leasing existing space or constructing a building, the commissioner of buildings and general services or other state officials, in consultation with the legislative body of a municipality and based on the suitability of the state function to a downtown location, shall give priority to locating proposed state functions in a downtown;
(14) a reallocation of receipts related to the tax imposed on sales of construction materials as provided in 32 V.S.A. § 9819;
(15) a state tax credit under section 5930q of Title 32 for the installation or improvement of platform lifts, elevators or sprinkler systems;
(16) the authority to create a special taxing district pursuant to chapter87 of this title for the purpose of financing both capital and operating costs of a project within the boundaries of a downtown development district.