City Council to consider application to develop old courthouse under community revitalization law

posted on: 2/23/2021

At its regular meeting this Wednesday, Feb. 24, the City Council will hold a public hearing and then consider approval of an application for tax relief under the state Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive law, RSA 79-E. Chinburg Management, LLC is seeking approval of its application as part of its proposal to rehabilitate the old Strafford County Courthouse on First Street.

At its Jan. 27 meeting, the City Council approved expanding the downtown Community Revitalization District to include the block where the old courthouse is located and also amended the criteria used to review RSA 79-E applications to incentivize affordable housing. This approval allowed Chinburg Management to file its application.

At the same Jan. 27 meeting, the City Council also authorized a development agreement between the City and Chinburg Management, contingent on the RSA 79-E application’s approval. The agreement states that the City of Dover would approximately maintain the courthouse property’s current tax valuation for seven years after the City issues the certificate of occupancy for the rehabilitated building. The goals of the agreement include retaining the historic building and providing increased options for affordable housing.

Beginning in tax year 2030, there would be a guaranteed tax assessed value of the property of $7 million. If the actual assessed value were below $7 million at that time, the developer would owe the difference. If the assessed value was above $7 million, the developer would owe the higher amount. Currently, the property is assessed at $789,100. The guarantee is an increase in valuation of more than 780 percent during the tax credit period.

The Heritage Commission met last week to review whether retaining the old courthouse building is vital and worthy of inclusion in the Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive program. The Downtown Tax Increment Finance District Board met to review whether the project would negatively impact the Downtown Tax Increment Finance District proforma. Both boards recommended City Council approval after reviewing the application.

The City Council first discussed the potential of expanding the Community Revitalization District at its Jan. 6, 2021 workshop, which can be viewed here.

The City Council will also consider extending temporary authorization to the City Manager to waive any locally set or adopted fees on a case-by-case basis for good cause, provided there is demonstrated hardship or other circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the waiver meets applicable law. If approved as proposed, the City Manager would maintain the authority until the State of Emergency in New Hampshire expires or lapses, or upon further resolution of the City Council, whichever occurs sooner.

According to the background material, the “resolution is not intended to address waivers of any fees set by statute. Examples of fees likely to be waived include outdoor seating licenses for restaurants or temporary signs.”

The full agenda and materials are available here. The City Council meets at 7 p.m. in the Council Conference Room at City Hall. The meeting will broadcast live on Channel 22 and be available for on-demand viewing at dovernh.viebit.com/index.php.

Dover residents, business owners and property owners may voice their opinions about this or any other City Council topic by emailing all City Councilors at CityCouncil-All@dover.nh.gov, or  calling 516-MEET (6338) and leaving a message. To be heard ahead of a particular meeting, call or email at least two hours before the meeting begins.

As with speaking at a public hearing or Citizens’ Forum, phone messages and emails sent to all board members will be retained as part of the meeting minutes and are subject to New Hampshire’s Right to Know law, RSA 91:A.