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Williamsport council extends tax-abatement program, tweaks application process to encourage development
Summary
The council voted unanimously to extend city ordinances that enable industrial, commercial and residential tax abatements through Dec. 31, 2026, aligning the city with county and school district timelines and removing a preapproval step for one commercial program.
Williamsport City Council on Feb. 13 voted unanimously to extend local property tax-abatement ordinances for industrial, commercial and residential projects and to remove a preapproval step from the commercial program.
City staff member Valerie Fessler told council the industrial and commercial ordinance is being extended through Dec. 31, 2026, to match the school district and Lycoming County and to “streamline our process a little bit” by removing the ability to apply for preapproval for LOTA. Jason Fink, speaking on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, described the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERDA) tool as “a key tool” for facilitating development and said it does not require the city to forgo existing taxes while allowing developers time to increase assessed value.
The ordinances had routine backing from multiple council members during the meeting. Councilwoman Bonnie Katz pressed for public clarity on the programs and the city’s outreach; Fessler said staff will work with the codes department so applicants receive information during building-permit processing. Fink cited recent projects that used the program, including the development that hosted Wawa and a forthcoming Chick-fil-A, and emphasized the program’s potential use on residential redevelopment and vacant lots.
Council approved the industrial/commercial ordinance on first reading and the residential ordinance on first reading; each passed by a 6-0 roll-call vote. The residential measure was presented as an amendment to codified ordinance 355 and the industrial/commercial measure as an amendment to codified ordinance 353. No changes to the programs’ substantive tax terms were described other than the date extension and the removal of the preapproval pathway for the commercial provision.
The council and presenters repeatedly framed the changes as aligning the three taxing bodies — city, county and school district — and as an economic-development tool to encourage both commercial projects and infill or new housing construction.
Members of council asked for proactive outreach so homeowners and developers are aware of the incentives. Fessler said the city’s community-development office will provide information to permit applicants.
Votes at the Feb. 13 meeting were unanimous on both measures.
