Monday, June 4, 2007

Farmers Branch Resident Incentive Programs agreeable to most

By Minnie Payne

FARMERS BRANCH — The City of Farmers Branch Resident Incentive Programs were established Feb. 19, 2007, wherein citywide residents are eligible for three types of programs: No. 1, the Exterior Makeover Incentive Program; No. 2, the Major Remodel Incentive Program; No. 3, the New Home Incentive Program.

Nicole Recker, Marketing Specialist for the City of Farmers Branch, said that examples of new homes, major remodels and exterior makeovers can be seen all over the city and the majority of these residents are taking advantage of the incentive programs.

“The City allocated $1 million for City revitalization, which includes marketing, and the programs are offered on a first-come first-served basis. A portion of the $1 million has been allocated to each Resident Incentive Program.

“Because the programs started in February and the fiscal year ends in September, there is a possibility that a large chunk of the $1 million will carry over into the next fiscal year. When the money is depleted and as long as there’s interest in the programs, the council’s goal is to continue the programs. Some people are just learning them.”

According to Recker, the most popular program is the Exterior Makeover Incentive Program, which offers three levels.

The first level requires that the market value of the home is less than $150,000 as appraised by the Dallas Central Appraisal District. The homeowner must spend between $2,000 and $9,999.

Incentives rewarded are a $300 gift card from participating vendors and if applicant qualifies for an upgrade, he will receive an additional $100 in gift cards from participating vendors.

The second level is that the market value of the home is more than $150,000 as appraised by the DCAD. The homeowner must spend between $10,000 and $24,999.

Incentives awarded are a $400 gift card from participating vendors, a 50% permit fee rebate, and if applicant qualifies for an upgrade, she will receive an additional $200 in gift cards from participating vendors.

Level three also requires that the house is appraised beyond $150,000 by the DCAB. The homeowner must spend between $25,000 and $49,999.

Incentives awarded are 1% of the applicable improvement cost, a $500 gift card from participating vendors, 50% permit fee rebate and if homeowner qualifies for an upgrade, he will receive an additional $300 in gift cards from participating vendors.

All three levels under the Exterior Makeover Incentive Program must be completed within 60 calendar days of one another, if completing multiple projects.

In the event that the cost of an applicant’s exterior makeover exceeds $100,000, he will qualify for the Major Remodel Incentive Program, which has two levels.

Level one requires that the homeowner must spend between $50,000 and $99,999.

Incentives awarded are 2% of the total improvement cost and 50% permit fee rebate.

Level two requires that the homeowner spend more than $100,000.

Incentives awarded are 2% of the total improvement cost, 50% permit fee rebate, complimentary services for 12 months, valued at $4,200 and applicable to homesteaded property owners only, for monthly City water and sewer service (maximum annual value of $2,000), WiFi service through the City’s provider (basic monthly plan), family fitness membership at the Farmers Branch Recreation Center, consultation with the City’s horticultural staff (maximum of three 30 minute consultations), and a Brookhaven County Club social membership.

The application process starts once work on the home is completed and the homeowner has 60 calendar days from the date of project completion to fulfill all application requirements.

The New Home Incentive Program applies only to a new single-family, detached home constructed on a lot that has, or previously had, a residential structure on it within the City of Farmers Branch.

All tear-down and rebuilds must meet all City codes and the applicant must be the first owner of the home.

Incentives awarded are 2% of the purchase amount on closing statement, complimentary services for twelve months valued at $4,200 (applicable to homesteaded property owners only), monthly City water and sewer service (maximum annual value of $3,000), WiFi service through the City’s provider (basic monthly plan), family fitness membership at the Farmers Branch Recreation Center, consultation with the City’s horticultural staff (maximum of three 30 minute consultations), and Brookhaven Country Club social membership.

Application process starts once work on the home has been completed, and the homeowner has 60 calendar days from the date of project completion to fulfill all application requirements.

Although renovation is going on throughout Farmers Branch, the Branch Crossing area of Farmers Branch, where homes were built in the 1950s, is a major area of rebirth.

According to Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps, the city bought eight lots that were on the market in the Branch Crossing area in 1996 and paid an average of about $60,000 for them and this led to construction. Mayor Phelps and his wife, Dee, moved into their home on Epps Field Road three years ago.

“We love our home,” said Dee. “Our backyard is so beautiful, because it backs up to the creek. We have our own Garden of Eden; it’s very quiet and serene.”

Mayor Phelps said that there were 20 completed new homes and 14 under construction in the area.

Even though a few residents who want to live out their lives in the Branch Crossing area object to the new building/remodeling incentive programs, a verbal poll taken from both McMansion owners and small homeowners indicate that the majority of them are in favor of the programs.

“Our house was built in the late 1950s, and we moved there in 1983,” said Richard Seymour, small homeowner. “I love the McMansions. My only dissatisfaction is that the state cut our tax and then the county ups the value of our house. You really can’t contest it.”

Seymour said that he wasn’t really thrilled about how they [state and county] take it from one hand and give it to the other.

“Right now, we are planning to stay,” he said. “I’m 66 years old and my wife is 64. I see us staying here for at least another five years.

“My only concern is that it’s a very large lot and as time goes on, it gets more difficult to keep up.”

Leona Lancaster, 78, lives near the renaissance area and said that a great many small homeowners on her street leased their property.

“Well, it’s a matter of dispute,” she said. “I don’t really like them [McMansions], but they’re not bothering me. I just don’t like it; the tax rate is high.”

Vicki Crow, a McMansion owner for about seven months whose mother lives in a small home in the area, says that one of the reasons she bought was because she thought it was a good investment.

“I think we’re going to have a continuity of small houses, and we’re going to live together in an amicable way,” she said. “I can’t say anything but positive about it.”

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