The following words and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings
given to them in this section:
DETERIORATED PROPERTY
Any industrial, commercial or other business property owned
by an individual, association or corporation and located in the City
of Scranton, as hereinafter provided, or any such property which has
been the subject of an order by a government agency requiring the
unit to be vacated, condemned or demolished by reason of noncompliance
with laws, ordinance or regulations.
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 safety, health, economic use or amenity, or is brought into compliance
with laws, ordinances or regulations governing such standards. Ordinary
upkeep and maintenance shall not be deemed an improvement.
LOCAL TAXING AUTHORITY
A county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, institution
district or school district having authority to levy real property
taxes.
OTHER BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Includes, but is not limited to, apartment to condominium
conversions, condominium and townhouses where the title has not yet
been transferred to homeowner from developer, new townhouses, new
condominiums.
It is hereby determined and declared by City Council that the
following portion of the City qualify and are hereby designated as
areas eligible for tax exempt status: The whole City of Scranton.
No amendments to this article shall be effective unless consented
to by ordinance of the governing body of the City of Scranton.
In any sentence, clause, section, or part of this article is
for any reason found to be unconstitutional, illegal or invalid, such
unconstitutionality, illegality, or invalidity shall not effect or
impair any of the remaining provisions, sentences, clauses, sections
or parts of this article. It is hereby declared as the intent of the
Council of the City of Scranton that this article would have been
adopted as such as if such unconstitutional, illegal, or invalid sentence,
clause, section or part thereof had not been included herein.
This article shall automatically terminate 10 years from the
effective date of this article. Any person who obtains an exemption
hereunder shall be entitled to the entire exemption period of 10 years
even if said ten-year period goes beyond the termination date.