Font Resize
Related story: Read the company's news release about the detergent plant
Stewart Associates in York has submitted an initial plan with the York County Conservation District that involves the building of an industrial park in Jackson Township.
A prominent user for the proposed Commerce Industrial Park has evaluated the site, but has yet to decide if it will make the 220-acre swath of land between Route 30 and East Berlin Road its new home.
Stewart Associates has signed two confidentiality agreements that blocks the local developer from revealing the name of the potential user, said Gary Stewart, president of Stewart Associates.
William Conn, manager of Jackson Township, said Stewart Associates has not filed a land-development plan for the park that would sit on acreage zoned for industrial development.
While he couldn't release the name of the company, Joseph Howlett said the project would increase the property's tax revenue to about $1.2 million after 10 years. Howlett is the business manager for Spring Grove Area School District.
Currently, the undeveloped land generates annual tax revenues of $12,674 for the district.
Since the property has a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Act designation, real-estate taxes are phased in over 10 years, Howlett said. Known as LERTA, the act promotes development and improvement of blighted properties while requiring the users to meet specific criteria.
Representatives of the company interested in moving into the park have asked for land improvements to be tax exempt for the first five years after development begins.
In addition, the company has requested that, starting in the sixth year, 20 percent of the assessed value of the land would be taxable, increasing 20 percent each year for the next five years. At that time, the total value of the land would be taxable.
The property's existing LERTA designation provides for the taxing of the land in the first year at 10 percent its assessed value, climbing 10 percent each year for the next decade.
School board members will consider an action to amend the LERTA document at the next board meeting, April 7.
Regardless if the sought-after user opts for space at the proposed park, Stewart Associates will push forward with the project, Stewart said.
sadkins@ydr.com;771-2047
