As used in this article, the following words and phrases have
the meanings set forth below:
BOROUGH
The Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
DETERIORATED AREA
For purposes of improvements as defined herein, the area
bounded and described as the "deteriorated area" by Ordinance No.
640, passed by the Borough Council of the Borough of Columbia on August
10, 1992, and as the same may thereafter be amended from time to time,
and for purposes of residential construction as defined herein, the
areas described in Ordinance No. 640, passed by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Columbia on August 10, 1992.
DETERIORATED PROPERTY
A dwelling unit located in a deteriorated neighborhood, or
a dwelling unit which has been or upon request is certified by a health,
housing or building inspection agency as unfit for human habitation
for rent withholding, or other health or welfare purposes, or has
been the subject of an order by such agency requiring the dwelling
unit to be vacated, condemned or demolished by reason of noncompliance
with laws, ordinances or regulations.
DWELLING UNIT
A house, double house, or duplex, townhouse or row house,
apartment or condominium, or any building or unit of a building intended
for occupancy as a separate living quarters by an individual, family
or families or other groups of persons, which living quarters contain
a kitchen or cooking equipment for the exclusive use of the occupant
or occupants.
IMPROVEMENT
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 housing safety, health or amenity, or is brought into compliance
with laws. Ordinances or regulations governing housing standards,
ordinary upkeep and maintenance shall not be deemed an improvement.
RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION
The building or erection of dwelling units, as defined above,
upon vacant land or land specifically prepared to receive such structures.
No amendment to this article shall be effective unless consented
to by resolution or ordinance of each local taxing authority which
has consented to be bound by the terms of this article.
Unless prior to that date which is five years from the effective
date of this article, the Columbia Borough Council adopts an ordinance
and Columbia Borough School District Board of Directors adopts a resolution
or takes other appropriate action extending this article for an additional
five years, this article shall terminate exactly five years from the
effective date of this article. On or prior to each renewal period,
this article shall terminate on the fifth year following renewal unless
both the Columbia Borough Council and Columbia Borough School District
Board of Directors have adopted ordinances, in the case of the Borough,
or resolutions or other appropriate actions, in the case of the School
District, extending the term of this article for an additional five
years. This article shall terminate at the discretion of either the
Columbia Borough Council or the Columbia Borough School District Board
of Directors upon adoption of appropriate repealing ordinance or resolution,
respectively, with formal written notification to one another at least
90 days in advance of said planned ordinance or resolution, respectively.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any taxpayer who has received or applied
for exemption granted by this article prior to the expiration or termination
of this article, if said exemption is granted, shall be entitled to
the full exemption authorized herein.
Any exemption made permissible under this article shall not
be applied to any properties not subject to exemption hereunder and
under the Improvement of Deteriorating Real Property or Areas Tax
Exemption Act, 72 P.S. § 4711-101 et seq.