Local Business Improvement Districts

TITLE 50 MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS CHAPTER 17 LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT CODE — GUARANTEE FUND 50-1703A. Local business improvement districts. (1) The legislature finds that the development of architectural themes for cities is a legitimate method to further the public health, safety and welfare of cities. The purpose of the provisions of this section is to authorize cities to create local business improvement districts for the purpose of constructing and financing the cost and expense of improvements to the exterior portions of business buildings to bring business buildings within the district into conformity with the architectural theme adopted by the city. The improvement of business buildings in conformity with the architectural theme adopted by the city is hereby declared a public purpose. (2)  Municipalities are hereby authorized to create local business improvement districts for the purpose of constructing and financing the cost and expense of improvements to the exterior portions of business buildings in order to bring business buildings within such districts into conformity with an architectural theme adopted by the city. (3)  The term "business building" includes any building devoted primarily to business purposes, including professional and governmental purposes. (4)  It is the intent of the provisions of this section that local business improvement districts be administered in all respects as are local improvement districts, except as provided herein. (5)  Local business improvement districts shall be initiated by presentment to the council of a petition containing the following: (a)  A description of the particular lots and parcels to be included in the proposed district; (b)  A description of the improvements to be constructed and financed by the district; (c)  The estimated cost of the improvements; (d)  The percentage of the cost to be assessed against each lot and parcel within the district; and (e)  The signature of the owner of record of each lot or parcel to be included within the district, consenting to inclusion of the lot or parcel within the district. (6)  The total project amount assessed against each parcel within the district shall be no more than twenty percent (20%) of the market value for assessment purposes of the parcel. (7)  Lots and parcels need not be contiguous in order to be included within a district. No lot or parcel may be included within a district without the written consent of the owner thereof; provided, that, after the district has been created, consent to inclusion in the district may not subsequently be withdrawn prior to payment of all costs of the improvements. (8)  Upon receipt of the petition, the council shall adopt a resolution of intention, substantially in the form provided in section 50-1707 , Idaho Code, stating the council’s intention to create the district, to make the improvements, and to levy assessments to pay the cost thereof. The resolution shall contain a statement as to the percentage of the costs to be assessed against each particular lot or parcel within the proposed district. (9)  Notice shall be given and a hearing conducted in the manner provided in sections 50-1708 and 50-1709 , Idaho Code. If, after such hearing, the council determines to create the district, it shall proceed as provided in this chapter for the creation of the district, the construction of the improvements, the preparation of, hearing upon, and confirmation of the assessment roll, the collection of assessments and the issuance of bonds or warrants. Each assessment shall be a lien upon the property against which it is assessed, as provided in section 50-1721 , Idaho Code.