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closeCity seeks to give tax breaks
Passage of proposed ordinance would allow Sumner to provide tax incentives for residents with historic structures
Roxanne Cooke
The city of Sumner is only a few steps away from offering a local register of historic places with tax incentives for property owners who maintain historic buildings.
Sumner must obtain “certified local government” status from the state historic preservation office in order to offer the local register. To earn this designation, the Sumner City Council must first pass a historic preservation ordinance.
Community Development Director Paul Rogerson presented a draft ordinance to the council at Monday’s study session. The document would establish the local register, a five-member historic preservation commission and criteria for the register.
Once the new rules are set in place and the city obtains certified local government status, property owners named to the local register become eligible for special valuation, a tax incentive that provides monetary relief for maintaining or restoring historic structures or landmarks.
“The rush here is to get certified local government status,” Rogerson said.
To earn a spot on the register, the building or landmark must be at least 50 years old or newer but of significant importance. Plus, it must fall into one of several categories, such as having an association with historic events or people.
Property owners who obtain a spot on the register would need to have the commission approve any work done to the property. The building could be removed from the register by the commission with or without the owner’s consent.
The commission would likely meet once a month at first, Rogerson said, but after the rush of applications the group may only need to meet when there’s an application that needs reviewing.
Mayor Dave Enslow pointed out that it’s difficult to find both interested and experienced people for these types of commissions, and inquired to how much staff time would go toward the effort.
Rogerson replied that it wouldn’t take too much staff time, but the time it does require would be worth it.
“(It would take) just staff time, and not a lot of it actually,” he said. “It gives a real economic benefit to citizens. I think it’s worth doing.”
Rogerson busted some myths about the ordinance in April during a study session, pointing out that the local register is entirely voluntary, property owners can remove themselves from the register anytime and preserving historic structures and landmarks adds economic value to the city.
The document is still just a proposal until the council takes action on it. Rogerson said he would first discuss the ordinance with the Sumner Downtown Association to prep local business owners for the changes.