Northcliffe P.I.D.
What is a Public Improvement District?
A PID is a defined geographic area established to provide specific types of improvements or maintenance within that area. PIDs are created under Chapters 372 or 382 of the Local Government Code. Types of improvements and maintenance projects that can be approved for financing through a PID include landscaping, construction of sidewalks or roads, security, street lighting, and water facilities.
The statutes lay out a process where property owners (including developers and businesses) can petition cities and counties to create the PID and get financing for the desired improvements through bonds that are repaid through special assessments levied by the city or county. The property owners establish an advisory board that has authority over the types of improvements and maintenance to be sought and the total amount of bonds required.
A public hearing is held before any bonds are issued. Property owners within a PID have a special assessment tax against their property to repay the bonds, in addition to regular property taxes. However, unlike other property taxes, PID assessments are levied for only a set number of years, and a property owner can choose to pay the assessment up front instead of having it prorated over a number of years and save interest and administrative expenses. A PID special assessment is tax deductible in any year it is paid.
Why a PID?
Our community is establishing a Public Improvement District (PID) to safeguard our greenspace from overdevelopment and preserve its natural beauty. Our neighborhood is expanding rapidly, and protecting our green space as a valuable resource for future generations is crucial. By establishing a PID, we can work collaboratively with local officials and residents to prioritize the maintenance and enhancement of our greenspace while ensuring responsible development practices. Additionally, forming a PID will spare us from the arduous task of having to fight against developers every time a parcel of the old golf course is sold, thus saving us time, resources, and energy. Overall, this initiative will enhance the quality of life in our community and ensure that our greenspace remains a vital part of our neighborhood's identity.
Proposed PID Map
At this point in time, the planning stages for the Public Improvement District (PID) are in their early phases. The map above provides a rough outline of the land that may be included in the PID. Unfortunately, the cost of land that is zoned for General Business is quite high, making it too expensive for the entire PID to purchase. Moreover, this land is currently under contract and therefore unavailable for purchase. However, the remaining land from the golf course, which is also under contract, may fall out of the contract, allowing it to be purchased at a more reasonable price. Additionally, the proposed town home tract could potentially be purchased from its developer and incorporated into the PID.
Since the cost of the land and any improvements will be covered by the surrounding homeowners through an additional assessment on their property, cost is a significant factor to consider. The boundaries for the assessment must also be determined, and approval from at least 50% of property owners through a vote is required. As a result, there may still be many changes and updates to this plan. We aim to keep the assessment cost below $100 per month per house, but several factors could influence this goal.
What will it look like?
The most significant advantage of a PID is that we can establish the design and plan for it ourselves! The Design Committee will consider community input when creating the plan, which could include repairing and rerouting the current cart path/walking trail, installing amenities such as benches, restrooms, and water fountains, establishing a disk golf course, constructing playgrounds, pickleball courts, pavilions, creating native flower areas, or more. We will have the opportunity to collaborate and decide on what features will add value to our neighborhood and the surrounding community.