A proposed townhome complex meant for low- and middle-income residents was granted a tax-increment-financing package Monday night by the Sartell City Council.

The project, known as Burl Oaks Townhomes, is a 38-unit project proposed by builder Mike Podawiltz of Sartell. It will be constructed near the intersection of Roberts Road and 7th Avenue S.

Burl Oaks is set to receive $200,000-worth of TIF for the cost of land acquisition, utilities and other incidental expenses associated with the ambitious $7.5-million project. There are guidelines required for TIF projects, and Burl Oaks fits two of them:
1. The project could not be financially feasible without the TIF.
2. The project will help provide housing for low- to middle-income people.

TIF is a way to use future gains in property taxes to finance current improvements, which are expected to increase property taxes once the developments are built and generating revenue and taxes. TIF is a way to promote and increase developments for the long-term economic health of a city or other entity.

Sartell has granted TIFs to projects in the past, most recently – about two months ago – for an apartment project also in the Roberts Road area.