Laserfiche WebLink
South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Rescheduled Regular Meeting -April 5, 2007 <br />5. OLD BUSINESS <br />A. Tax Abatements <br />() continued... <br />past. <br />Mr. Hatch noted that most of Habitat's <br />clients earn less than 50% of median income <br />for the area. The number one predictor of <br />how families can begin to accumulate wealth <br />and grow in their ability to give back to the <br />community is owning their own home. <br />Mr. Peczkowski indicated that he does not <br />understand the reason for the abatement, <br />since Habitat doesn't even know who the <br />potential owner is. He thinks the owner <br />should apply for the tax abatement rather <br />than Habitat. <br />Mr. Mathia stated that that is an advantage to <br />the staff if the developer applies for multiple <br />abatements rather than processing them for <br />each home owner. Also, people of this <br />income would be reluctant to come before <br />the Commission and Common Council to <br />make a presentation for tax abatement. <br />Mr. Peczkowski thought it would be alright if <br />the home owners didn't apply. <br />Mr. King noted that an application for <br />abatement must be approved before a <br />building permit is pulled. As owner of the <br />property at the point in time the building <br />permit will be pulled, Habitat petitions for <br />the abatements on behalf of the future <br />owners. If ground is broken before the <br />abatement is approved, the project is <br />ineligible for abatement. <br />8 <br />