As used in this article, the following words and phrases shall
have the meanings set forth below:
ASSESSMENT OFFICE
The County's Office of Property Assessments or such successor
entity responsible by law or by ordinance for determining the assessed
valuation of real estate for the assessment and levy of real estate
taxes by a local taxing authority.
ASSESSED VALUATION
The fair market value of all buildings upon a parcel of real
property as established by the Office of Property Assessments or,
upon appeal, by the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County pursuant
to the provisions of Article 210 of the Administrative Code of the
County, the Second Class County Assessment Law, 72 P.S. § 5452.1
et seq., the General County Assessment Law, 72 P.S. § 5450-101
et seq., and other applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
or ordinances or regulations of the County, for the purpose of the
assessment and levy of real property taxes by a local taxing authority.
CONTRIBUTION
A payment made voluntarily by a taxpayer whose property is
within the deteriorated area to or for the use of the Greensburg Revitalization
Fund in future economic development projects.
DETERIORATED AREA
That specific geographic area of the City described in §
240-65 of this chapter, with one or more of the following criteria:
A.
The buildings within the area, by reason of their age, obsolescence,
inadequate or outmoded design, or physical deterioration, have become
economic and/or social liabilities.
B.
The buildings within the area are substandard, unsanitary, unhealthy,
or unsafe.
C.
The buildings within the area are overcrowded, poorly spaced,
or so lacking in light, space, and air as to be unwholesome.
D.
The buildings within the area are faultily arranged, cover the
land to an excessive extent, show a deleterious use of land, or exhibit
any combination of the above which is detrimental to health, safety,
or welfare.
E.
A significant percentage of buildings within the area are more
than 20 years of age.
F.
A substantial number of parcels within the area have remained
vacant, unimproved, overgrown, or unsightly for a period of five or
more years indicating a growing or total lack of utilization of land
for economically desirable purposes.
G.
A disproportionate number of properties located within the area
are tax delinquent.
H.
The area has been previously determined to be a blighted area
under criteria set forth in the Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991. No.
385, known as the Urban Redevelopment Law.
I.
The area has been previously determined to be an impoverished
area under criteria set forth in the act of November 29, 1967, P.L.
636, No. 282, known as the Neighborhood Assistance Act.
ELIGIBLE PROPERTY
Any industrial, commercial or other business property (recognized
use as determined by City Planning) owned by an individual, association
or corporation and located in the City of Greensburg, as hereinafter
provided, or any such above-described property which has been subject
of an order by a government agency requiring the unit to be vacated,
condemned or demolished by reason of noncompliance with law, ordinance
or regulations.
EXEMPTION
The temporary nonliability for the payment of additional
City real estate taxes as set forth in a schedule resulting from an
increase in assessed valuation attributable to the actual cost of
Improvements made to deteriorated property within a deteriorated area,
provided that a contribution is made to or for the use of the Greensburg
Revitalization Fund.
GREENSBURG REVITALIZATION FUND
A fund established at the Greensburg Community Development
Corporation for use in funding priority economic development projects
within the deteriorated area. Fund proceeds will be utilized to assist
revitalization efforts including, but not limited to, acquisition,
rehabilitation, new construction and public infrastructure. Investment
will be governed by a committee established by the Greensburg Community
Development Corporation in partnership with representatives from the
local taxing authorities.
IMPROVEMENTS
Repair, construction or reconstruction, including alterations
and additions, having the effect of rehabilitating a deteriorated
property so that it becomes habitable or attains higher standards
of safety, health, economic use of amenity or is brought into compliance
with laws, ordinances or regulations governing such standards. Ordinary
upkeep and maintenance shall not be deemed an improvement.
PROPERTY OWNER
Any natural person, partnership, unincorporated association,
limited liability company, or corporation, nonprofit or otherwise,
who owns a deteriorated property within the deteriorated area. Whenever
used in any provision of this article, the term "property owner" as
applied to partnerships shall mean and include all members thereof;
as applied to corporations shall mean and include all officials or
officers thereof. The term "property owner" shall be synonymous with
the term "taxpayer."
The Council of the City of Greensburg, determined after holding
a public hearing on July 7, 2015, for the purpose of determining boundaries
of a deteriorated area located within the City, that the entire boundary
City of Greensburg, qualifies as deteriorated property under the provisions
of the LERTA.
The City Administrator or the Planning Director is hereby designated
as authorized agent to sign all necessary forms, permits or other
written documents to implement any and all provisions of this article.
The effective date of this article is August 10, 2015.
The provisions hereof shall become effective on August 10, 2015,
and its terms shall continue in effect without annual reenactment
for a period of 10 years from the effective date and shall apply to
any building permitted for construction or renovation at any time
during that ten-year period.
This article is enacted pursuant to the Local Economic Revitalization
Tax Assistance Act, 53 P.S. § 4722 et seq., as amended (the
"LERTA").
The provisions of this article are severable and if any of its
sections, clauses or sentences shall be held illegal, invalid or unconstitutional,
such provisions shall not effect or impair any of the remaining sections,
clauses or sentences. All ordinances or resolutions in part or in
whole conflicting with the provisions contained in this article are
hereby repealed.