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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Four people spoke against the application of a property tax incentive for the new Meridian II Apartment building during a public hearing Tuesday in Valley City.

Paul Diegel is the contractor of an apartment building under construction along east main. He and two other apartment property owners oppose the application. They believe there are to many units being constructed in Valley City and that their properties may stay vacant unless more people move into the city.

John Schneider of Prairie Home Management of Fargo is also opposed to the application. He said vacancy rates are averaging about 20 percent right now and he also proposed to wait a few months to see if these units can be filled before building more.

The following is a portion of the public hearing held on October 3rd in the city commission chambers in Valley City. The first speaker is Jim Knutson of Valley Rental properties followed by contractor Paul Diegel, John Schneider of Prairie Home Management, commissioner Matt Pedersen, Dave Singleton of Cornerstone properties and commissioners Duane Magnuson and Ross Powell.

After the testimony, the city commission decided to table the Valley Rental request for two weeks to gather more details about the property tax incentive application.

Valley Rental just completed construction and opened their first Meridian apartment last month. The company plans to build another 42 unit complex called Meridian II.