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WRIGHT TWP. — In a brief special meeting at 8 a.m. Thursday with two members absent, the Crestwood School Board unanimously approved the extension of Keystone Opportunity Zone tax exemption to roughly 27 acres of contaminated property on the corner of Elmwood Avenue and Crestwood Road.
While the move means the district will not receive property tax payments for the next 10 years, part of the deal requires payment of $270,000 in back taxes.
Developer Robert Mericle said the property will be reclaimed under the state land remediation law known as Act 2. Solicitor Jack Dean said the move was likely the only way to get the property back into use. While the district will not receive property taxes for the 10-year period, once the land is developed and used the the district would received earned income tax from any resident who works there.
Mericle said he plans to construct a building “on spec,” meaning he does not have a specific user lined up yet but anticipates one will be found once the property is ready.
The extension must be approved by three entities that levy property taxes on the location: the school district, Wright Township and Luzerne County. Dean said Wright Township supervisors recently gave the project a green light. The issue has been on the radar for Luzerne County Council but likely will not be voted on before a scheduled Sept. 10 meeting.
The board also hired three high school science teachers: Maria Koons, Joseph Parson and Amy Zanicky.