HT News

June 18, 2009

Commissioners extend KOZ tax breaks

Urban votes against several, citing lack of development activity and evidence of future marketability.

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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Despite complaints from five residents, Luzerne County Commissioners approved a number of Keystone Opportunity Zone tax break extensions during Wednesday’s on-the-road meeting in the Hazle Township municipal building.

Minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban voted against several extensions in Wilkes-Barre, citing the lack of past development activity and evidence of future marketability of the parcels. He said he checked out many of the properties on Wednesday and found several paved parking lots.

Urban also opposed the extension of tax breaks for a residential development in the Newport Township area, saying he received complaints about the unfairness of tax-free homes.

Urban supported a break for 131.12 acres of Earth Conservancy property in Nanticoke and Hanover Township, saying the land is mine-scarred and has concrete development plans.

Commissioners Maryanne Petrilla and Greg Skrepenak approved the extensions, which included about 100 Wilkes-Barre properties and 505 acres in Newport Township and Nanticoke owned by Susquehanna Coal Co./HUD Inc.

Petrilla said she understands taxpayers’ concerns about lost tax revenue but believes the county will be compensated by economic development gains.

“We will have more jobs and people buying homes,” Petrilla said after the meeting.

The extensions would range from seven to 10 years. Officials say the extension breaks won’t kick in until the properties are developed and occupied, preventing past concerns about properties that sat undeveloped without paying taxes.

In other business, commissioners approved a list of 20 flood-prone properties that will be demolished or elevated using an estimated $2.5 million in mitigation funding earmarked for Susquehanna River communities that aren’t protected by the Wyoming Valley Levee.

The following Shickshinny parcels will be purchased and demolished before the land is put into borough ownership for recreation or open space: 22-24, 34 and 42 N. Susquehanna Ave.; 6, 18-20 and 30 Susquehanna St.; 22, 34-36 and 42 S. Canal St.; 51 and 53 N. Canal St.; and 11, 15 and 61 McClintock St.

Five Shickshinny properties will be elevated: 38 S. Canal St.; 152 N. Susquehanna Ave.; 21 and 27 E. Union St.; and 10 Susquehanna Ave. A property at 546 River Road in Nescopeck Township will also be raised.

Commissioners also voted Wednesday:

• To retain Elliott & Greenleaf as special counsel to handle a reassessment court challenge filed by Hanover Township property owner Vic Kopko. The county will pay up to $200 an hour for representation, according to an engagement letter with the law firm’s Scranton attorney, John G. Dean.

• To lease 1,984 square feet of space for $2,067 per month from Thomas C. Thomas Co. in Wilkes-Barre to house a smaller version of county Central Court. Central Court was already located in the East Union Street building, but county judges recently decided to scale back the number of cases heard.

Minority Commissioner Stephen A. Urban voted against the move, saying he believes Wilkes-Barre’s two magistrates should absorb these cases.

• To pay Borton Lawson Architecture, Wilkes-Barre, $10,200 to complete a records storage space analysis.

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