What do we know and what do we not know about TIRZ#3?
Other articles have been posted on this site regarding a definition of what a TIRZ is and why it might be created. This article is to add some details about the properties directly affected and to raise some questions about what we do not know about this particular TIRZ.
The TIRZ#3 Plan states there are 31 properties included and we have been told that the legal requirements of the percentage of participants were met. The plan includes a process of some properties being selected each year to be purchased at a price determined by an independent appraisal of each property. It has also been stated that each property owner has the right to either accept the offer or reject the offer implying that neither TIRZ#3 nor the City of Jersey Village will take any further action regarding the acquiring of that property. The plan states that each house will be torn down after purchase by a contractor selected by the TIRZ#3 Board. Then the vacant lot will be offered to be sold to a selected set of builders for the construction of a new single-family house that will meet unspecified standards. It also has been stated that the plot of land will not change in size and that only one house will replace each house that is removed.
- According to Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) – 31 of the 32 homes on the east end of Jersey Dr have been included in the TIRZ#3 Zone.
- According to HCAD – at least 8 of the properties have been purchased since the last major flooding within JV back in 2016. That accounts for about 26% of the homes and suggests that a market exists even on that portion of Jersey Dr. Also, the HCAD values for those properties seem to show values that are not lower than other homes in that area, indicating they were not bought as “fire sales”.
- According to HCAD – another 10 properties have been purchased since 2003, after the major flooding of Allison in 2001. A total of 18 (58%) of the 31 homes have been purchased since Allison.
- Why was 15518 Jersey Dr. not included within the zone or is this a mistake by HCAD and why was 15311 Jersey Dr included with no house on the lot?
- At least 6 of the properties have no tax exemptions and another 6 have “pending” for exemptions implying the homeowner does not live in the house to qualify for at least Homestead Exemption. At least 2 of the lots are owned by people that live at another address within JV and 2 others by out-of-state owners.
- What process will be used to identify the selection of the homes to be purchased each year? Will it be by location, by the amount of damage in previous floods, or what criteria? Who will control the process?
- Who are the selected builders and what process was used for selecting them or will be used if selected in the future?
- Will each of the lots be purchased via a bidding process with the “selected builders” or an individual un-bid process?
- Will the in-laws of a current Council Member have a greater influence in the process than other homeowners?
- What will the annual cost of TIRZ#3 be to the other JV residents in their property taxes in the beginning and through the 20 years of TIRZ#3?