HomeMy WebLinkAbout990310
March 10, 1999
Hagerstown, Maryland
A meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County,
Maryland, was called to order at 11:45 a.m. by President Gregory I. Snook
with the following members present: Vice President Paul L. Swartz, and
Commissioners Bertrand L. Iseminger, Jr., John L. Schnebly and William J.
Wivell.
REQUEST FOR PAYMENT-IN-LIEU OF TAXES FOR SENIOR RENTAL HOUSING PROJECT
Joseph Kuhna, Community Development Coordinator, appeared before the
Commissioners to provide additional information on the project to construct
120 units of senior rental housing on Robinwood Drive. Also present were
Marc Silverman, representing the development group, Silverman, Hirsch and
Lloyd; David Fang, Project Consultant; James Upchurch and Jerry Busey from
Interfaith Housing of Western Maryland; and Richard Willson, Director of
Washington County Housing & Community Development. Mr. Kuhna stated that
the project will serve low-to-moderate income senior citizens age 55 and
older. The rents will vary from $188 per month to $436 per month based on
median incomes. The application to the State is due on March 15, 1999, and
the partnership is requesting that the Commissioners approve a payment-in-
lieu of taxes (PILOT) as the contribution required in the application as the
local contribution to Phase I of the project for 64 units. Mr. Kuhna stated
that a policy was established in 1993 for a PILOT program for eligible
senior rental facilities.
Mr. Kuhna informed the Commissioners that the market study found that units
of this type are needed in the area. Mr. Fang explained the rental process
and the funding for the project. The Commissioners reviewed the PILOT
program and the policy. Mr. Kuhna provided the amount of taxes which would
be abated if the PILOT were based on $175 per unit or $200 per unit. After
discussion, the Commissioners agreed to provide a PILOT of $200 per unit.
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to approve the
request made by Robinwood Hagerstown Limited Partnership to grant a tax
abatement of $200 per unit for 15 years under the PILOT program established
in 1993, as the local contribution in their application to the Community
Development Administration for a 64-unit senior rental housing project. The
tax credit will be subject to annual review by the Commissioners.
Motion made by Commissioner Schnebly, seconded by Swartz, to amend the
original motion to include the requirement that the developer provide the
County with a copy of the annual audit for the project and comply with all
requirements of the policy. The amended motion was unanimously approved.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Commissioner Iseminger, seconded by Schnebly, to adjourn at
1:09 p.m. Unanimously approved.
County Administrator
County Attorney
, Clerk