[Adopted 6-19-2008 by Ord. No. 1939[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded former Art. VI, Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA), adopted 12-23-1998 by Ord. No. 1795.
The Board of Commissioners, after a public hearing held on May 8, 2008, hereby designates the property zoned "I" Industrial, containing approximately 4.06 acres, more or less, as deteriorated, taking into account the criteria set forth and incorporated in the Act.[1] It is determined that said property will not be improved unless a tax exemption is granted for any improvement made to said land. The area designated as deteriorated, in accordance with said Act No. 76, is more fully described in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto and herein incorporated by reference.[2]
[1]
Editor's Note: Refers to P.L. 237, Act No. 76 of 1977, 72 P.S. § 4722 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: Exhibit A is on file in the Township offices.
Subject to the schedule hereinafter set forth, there is hereby exempted from all real property taxation that portion of the additional assessment attributable to the actual costs of improvements to the designated deteriorated property.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
IMPROVEMENTS
Repair, new construction or reconstruction, including alterations or additions, having the effect of rehabilitating the deteriorated property so that it becomes habitable, usable, and attains higher standards of safety, health, economic use or amenity, and is brought into compliance with laws, ordinances, or regulations governing such standards.
A. 
The schedule of real estate taxes to be exempted shall be in accordance with the following percentage of improvements to be exempted each year.
[Amended 11-19-2008 by Ord. No. 1946]
Year
Portion to be Exempt
First year
67%
Second year
60%
Third year
53%
Fourth year
47%
Fifth year
40%
Sixth year and thereafter
0%
B. 
The exemption from taxes granted under this article shall be upon the property and shall not terminate upon the sale or exchange of the property.
C. 
If an eligible property is granted tax exemption pursuant to the article, the improvement shall not, during the exemption period, be considered a factor in assessing other properties.
A. 
Any person desiring tax exemption pursuant to this article shall apply to the Secretary of the Township within 30 days of the time a building permit is issued for construction of the improvement, or new construction, as the case may be. The application must be in writing, and shall set forth the following information:
(1) 
The date the building permit was issued for said improvement;
(2) 
The location of the property to be improved;
(3) 
The nature of the property to be improved;
(4) 
The type of improvement;
(5) 
The summary of the plan of improvement;
(6) 
The cost of the improvement;
(7) 
Whether the property has been condemned or cited by any governmental body for noncompliance with laws or ordinances;
(8) 
That the property has been inspected and examined by the Township Engineer;
(9) 
Such additional information as the Township may require.
B. 
The application for tax exemption shall be considered by the Township Board of Commissioners. The Board shall approve or deny the application at its next regularly scheduled meeting, provided that the application is received at least 15 days prior to said meeting.
C. 
After its consideration, the Township Board of Commissioners shall forward a copy of the exemption application to the Delaware County Board of Assessment Appeals. Within 60 days the said Board of Assessment Appeals shall determine whether the exemption shall be granted and shall, upon completion of the improvements, or new construction, and notification from the Township of Ridley that improvements comply with all of the applicable building codes, assess separately the improvement and calculate the amount of the assessment eligible for tax exemption in accordance with the limits established by this article, and shall notify the taxpayer and the local taxing authorities of the reassessment and the amount of the assessment eligible for exemption. In the case of new construction, the Board of Assessment Appeals shall assess separately the improvement and the land upon which the new construction stands, and shall otherwise perform its duties as above provided for construction of improvements. The exemption provided for hereunder shall commence in the tax year immediately following the year in which the building permit is issued.
D. 
The costs of improvements and new construction to be exempted and the schedule of taxes exempted existing at the time of the initial request for tax exemption shall be applicable to that request, and subsequent amendment(s) to this article, if any, shall not apply to requests initiated prior to their adoption.
E. 
Appeals from the reassessment and the amount eligible for the exemption may be taken by the tax authorities or the taxpayer as provided by law.
This article shall become effective upon adoption by the Ridley School District and the County of Delaware of resolutions exempting from real property taxation, improvements to properties in accordance with the terms of this article.