BM 2003-10-01 EcDevCOPPELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
October 1, 2003
MINUTES
The Coppell Economic Development Committee met at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1, 2003 at
Coppell Town Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 255 Parkway Boulevard, Coppell, Texas 75019. The
following were present: Chairman Bill Rohloff, Jason Crawford, Kris Fichtner, Matt Hall, Gary Roden,
Ed Thomas, Cindy Warner, Jeanette Cajide, James Cheng, John Durand, Marvin Franklin, Council
members Jayne Peters and Tim Brancheau, City Manager Jim Witt, Andrea Roy, Chad Beach, and Scarlett
Hovland.
Call to Order
Bill Rohloff called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and welcomed new members, Jeanette Cajide,
James Cheng, Marvin Franklin and John Durand.
Election of Officers-Chairman and Vice Chairman
Bill Rohloff opened the floor for nominations. Discussion followed with Bill Rohloff and Gary
Roden volunteering to stay as Chairman and Vice Chairman. It was moved by Kris Fichtner and
seconded by James Cheng that Bill Rohloff remain Chariman and Gary Roden remain Vice
Chairman. The motion passed unanimously.
Swearing in of new appointee.
All new members were sworn in prior to the meeting.
Approval of Minutes
It was moved by Kris Fichtner and seconded by Jason Crawford that the minutes of the September
3, 2003 meeting be approved. The motion passed unanimously.
Consideration of a request by Somera Communications for tax abatement
· Somera Communications tax abatement request is for personal property within a 259,000-sq.
ft. space at 301 Northpoint Drive.
· Somera Communications sales tax could generate an additional $82,000 in annual revenue to
the city of Coppell.
· It was moved by Kris Fichtner and seconded by Jason Crawford that Somera Communications
be granted a 5-year, 75% tax abatement for personal property within the 259,000 sq. ft
office/warehouse space in the AmberPoint Phase One facility located at 301 Northpoint Drive.
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Consideration of a request by Hillwood Fund No. 1, L. P., for tax abatement
· Hilllood Fund No. 1, L. P. tax abatement request is for an amendment to the existing
abatement agreement for the facility located at 980 W. Bethel Road. The current agreement
provides abatement for the existing 600,000 sq. ft. facility, while the amendment would include
a proposed 350,000 sq. ft. expansion.
· Hillwood Fund No. 1, L. P., tax abatement request for a proposed approximate 950,000 sq. ft.
speculative office/warehouse facility, located east of the northeast comer of Bethel Road and
Royal Lane.
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· It was moved by Gary Roden and seconded by Matt Hall that Hillwood Fund No. 1, L. P. be
granted a 5-year, 75% tax abatement for the proposed 350,000 square foot expansion at 980
W. Bethel Road and the 950,000 sq. fl. speculative office/warehouse facility located east of the
northeast comer of Bethel Road and Royal Lane. The motion passed according to the following
stipulations:
· Tax Abatement Amendment for 350,000 sq. fl. expansion of TradePoint One (980 W.
Bethel Road) shall be contingent upon construction of the expansion commencing
within 18 months from the date of abatement approval by Council.
· Tax Abatement Amendment for 950,000-sq. fl. speculative building at TradePoint
shall be contingent upon construction commencing within 24 months from the date of
abatement approval by Council.
The motion passed unanimously.
Discussion regarding potential development at 756 Sandy Lake Road
· Andrea Roy reviewed with the partnership incentives being offered by the City for development
of the 40-acre parcel on the north side of Sandy Lake Rd., between Coppell Road and S. H.
121.
· The partnership was in agreement with the incentives and Andrea will keep the committee
updated on the development activities.
Discussion regarding re-establishment of the Industrial Development Corporation
· Item was not discussed.
Discussion regarding incentive package for an existing expanding business
· The existing business is experiencing extensive growth and may require the relocation of their
operations to new facilities.
· The City has offered waiver of building permit fees and waiver of roadway impact fees.
· The partnership supported the incentives being offered, however, City Council has yet to
approve the agreements outlining the incentives.
· No site plan has been submitted and the precise project time line is still unknown. Andrea will
continue to update the partnership of any developments.
General Discussion
A. Update regarding Foreign Trade Zone Status.
· Work in progress with DFW and City Attorney. Procedures are being drafted.
B. Update regarding 2002 property appraisals.
· Duke Realty has filed suit on property appraisals for 2001, 2002 and 2003.
C. Update on commercial and industrial development projects.
· Potential prospect for a water park located at the southeast comer of Northpoint and
S. H. 121.
With no further business to discuss, it was moved by Matt Hall and seconded by Kris Fichtner that
the meeting adjourn. By unanimous vote, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Scarlett Hovland
Secretary