Agenda No. 12.
CITY COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
| City Council Meeting: | September 16, 2025 |
| Department: | Executive Team |
| Subject: | Resolution 25-R-125 - Amending the Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Program and the Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Program (S.Williams/B.James) |
BACKGROUND
The Schertz Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Grant was last amended in November of 2022 and the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant was last amended in April of 2022. The Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Grant is for historic structures and thus these applications are reviewed and recommended by the Schertz Historical Preservation Committee (SHPC) prior to coming to City Council. Hotel Occupancy Funds are used to pay for these grants. These grants can be used for both residential and commercial structures. The Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant applies only to commercial properties and are only reviewed and approved by City Council. General Fund dollars are used to pay for these grants.
Based on inquiries from property owners, staff sought input from the SHPC and the Main Street Committee. The first proposed change is to the Schertz Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Grant is to create a grant category similar to the sitework grant category of the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant for the Schertz Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Grant to allow properties in the Preservation Incentive Area or that have a Landmark Property Designation that do not have a structure to apply for a grant for flatwork. The grant would be up to $20,000 (for work costing up to $40,000).
The other change is to the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant is to clarify that in order to be eligible for a grant, the structure has to have a commercial component - it cannot be solely residential, including if it is a multifamily use. If the structure has a commercial and residential use, it is eligible for the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant.
Based on inquiries from property owners, staff sought input from the SHPC and the Main Street Committee. The first proposed change is to the Schertz Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Grant is to create a grant category similar to the sitework grant category of the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant for the Schertz Main Street Area Preservation Incentive Grant to allow properties in the Preservation Incentive Area or that have a Landmark Property Designation that do not have a structure to apply for a grant for flatwork. The grant would be up to $20,000 (for work costing up to $40,000).
The other change is to the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant is to clarify that in order to be eligible for a grant, the structure has to have a commercial component - it cannot be solely residential, including if it is a multifamily use. If the structure has a commercial and residential use, it is eligible for the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Grant.
GOAL
Promote the history and culture of the City of Schertz to tourists and residents.
COMMUNITY BENEFIT
Recognize and preserve historic structures in the City.
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
This action in and of itself will have no fiscal impact, as individual grants must still be approved by City Council. It could increase the number of grants approved as it allows properties with no structures to seek flatwork grant and it claries that mixed use structures are eligbile for grants.
RECOMMENDATION
Approval of Resolution 25-R-125