[Adopted 5-17-2004, effective
6-7-2004 (Ch. 10, § 10-7, of the Town Code)]
Abatement of real property taxes on structures of historical
or architectural merit in the Town of Woodbury may be allowed, in
whole or in part, pursuant to the authority of C.G.S. § 12-127a.
Structures shall be classified as having historical or architectural
merit if they demonstrate significant historical or architectural
value to the community, as determined in all cases by the Old Woodbury
Historical Society. In cases where such a structure lies within an
historic district, the Woodbury Historic District Commission must
also concur that such structure demonstrates significant historical
or architectural value to the community.
Such tax abatement shall be available to the owners of real
property which is so classified if it can be shown to the satisfaction
of the Town of Woodbury Board of Selectmen that the real property
is not primarily used for residential and/or commercial purposes and
the current level of taxation is a material factor which threatens
the continued existence of the structure, necessitating either its
demolition or remodeling in a manner which destroys the historical
or architectural value. If, after taxes on such structure have been
abated under the terms of this article, such structure is demolished
or remodeled in a way which destroys its architectural or historical
value, the then owner shall pay to the municipality an amount equal
to the total amount of taxes which had been abated under the provisions
of this article.
A.
Once a property has been classified as having historical or architectural
merit, the Town of Woodbury may, by majority vote of the Board of
Selectmen, enter into contracts with the owners of such properties
granting abatement, in whole or in part, of the real property taxes
on such structures. Such contracts shall require that the owner of
the real property shall apply the money equivalent of the taxes abated
to maintenance of the structure and/or its surrounding property and/or
to reducing membership dues if such owner is a fraternal or philanthropic
organization.
B.
Each such abatement contract shall further:
(1)
Specify the effective date of any such abatement;
(2)
Specify the amount of any such abatement, including any formula for
arriving at such amount;
(3)
Specify the duration of the abatement, which shall not exceed the
period equal to the remainder of the ownership by the then current
owner; future owners may apply to the Board of Selectmen for a new
abatement;
(4)
Impose any limitations on such abatement as the Board of Selectmen
deems appropriate; and
(5)
Reserve the right, for the term of the contract, to redetermine the
amount and/or duration of such abatement on an annual or other basis,
if the Board of Selectmen so desires.
The Town of Woodbury may enter into contracts with the state
for financial assistance reimbursing the Town for all or part of any
tax abatement granted to the owner of a structure of historical or
architectural merit in accordance with this article; provided, however,
that such reimbursement by the state need not be a condition of any
tax abatement hereunder.
