3.2 21-0544 Subject: Chinatown Business Improvement District 2021
From: Economic And Workforce Development
Recommendation: Conduct A Public Hearing And Upon Conclusion Adopt A Resolution Making A Determination Regarding Any Protests Received For The Chinatown Community Benefit Business Improvement District 2021 ("Chinatown BID 2021"), Approving The Chinatown BID 2021 Management Plan, Approving The Assessments For Chinatown BID 2021, Directing Recording Of The Proposed Assessment District Boundary Description, Establishing The Chinatown Community Benefit Business Improvement District 2021, And Appointing The Advisory Board For The Chinatown BID 2021
Chinatown deserves to have more resources concretely directed back into the neighborhood and this BID formation will be the right way forward. I believe there are still many details to iron out, such as the management plan and ensuring that the legislation matches how the discussions have been going around the Chamber supporting the formation of a separate management body from their board. And taking into consideration the concerns of and making information accessible to smaller property owners in the neighborhood. And even so, think that advancing the BID will be critical for the health and future of Chinatown.
I previously emailed a letter to the City Council and City Clerk that I would like to be part of the record.
After sending the letter I learned of an proposed amendment to assess 2-4 unit multifamily buildings the same way as single family units. This resolves most of my concerns about the methodology, though larger apartment buildings will still pay more than similar condo units.
I am still concerned that Zone 2 will be included in the BID despite the opposition of its property owners. The BID proposal was not prepared with Zone 2's needs in mind. While Zone 2 includes an unprecedented number of small residential properties, there was no representation of such property owners on the Steering Committee and the outreach in Zone 2 also focused on large institutional property owners. The small property owners I heard from, many of whom are immigrants and seniors, were opposed to the BID.
The voices of Zone 2 property owners may be drowned out in the voting process if all the votes are viewed together. The simple solution is to review whether the BID actually has support from Zone 2 before forming the BID. If large numbers of the small property owners in Zone 2 either did not vote or voted no, the Council should consider this information. Even if this requires the Council to continue the hearing, the City has until mid-August to form the BID and still have the assessment included on the property tax bill for the 2021-22 roll year.
Chinatown deserves to have more resources concretely directed back into the neighborhood and this BID formation will be the right way forward. I believe there are still many details to iron out, such as the management plan and ensuring that the legislation matches how the discussions have been going around the Chamber supporting the formation of a separate management body from their board. And taking into consideration the concerns of and making information accessible to smaller property owners in the neighborhood. And even so, think that advancing the BID will be critical for the health and future of Chinatown.
I previously emailed a letter to the City Council and City Clerk that I would like to be part of the record.
After sending the letter I learned of an proposed amendment to assess 2-4 unit multifamily buildings the same way as single family units. This resolves most of my concerns about the methodology, though larger apartment buildings will still pay more than similar condo units.
I am still concerned that Zone 2 will be included in the BID despite the opposition of its property owners. The BID proposal was not prepared with Zone 2's needs in mind. While Zone 2 includes an unprecedented number of small residential properties, there was no representation of such property owners on the Steering Committee and the outreach in Zone 2 also focused on large institutional property owners. The small property owners I heard from, many of whom are immigrants and seniors, were opposed to the BID.
The voices of Zone 2 property owners may be drowned out in the voting process if all the votes are viewed together. The simple solution is to review whether the BID actually has support from Zone 2 before forming the BID. If large numbers of the small property owners in Zone 2 either did not vote or voted no, the Council should consider this information. Even if this requires the Council to continue the hearing, the City has until mid-August to form the BID and still have the assessment included on the property tax bill for the 2021-22 roll year.