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Delegation unanimously backs sales-tax exemption for Mount Aetna Technology Park
Summary
The Washington delegation voted to send a letter supporting Senate Bill 698, which would provide a sales and use tax exemption for Mount Aetna Technology Park. Officials discussed potential ambiguity in language about warehousing and noted local zoning limits accessory warehousing to 30% of development.
The Washington delegation voted unanimously to send a letter supporting Senate Bill 698, which would provide a sales and use tax exemption for Mount Aetna Technology Park.
The measure, described at the meeting as aimed at incentivizing development at Mount Aetna Technology Park, drew brief discussion about whether language referring to warehousing and equipment could create ambiguity for future uses. Delegation members and county staff said existing local zoning already limits warehousing as an accessory use.
Senator Quarterman, who asked for the delegation letter of support, said the bill "is something that obviously will help incentivize Mount Aetna Park." He said committee staff had placed the bill on a vote list and that legislators had discussed drafting an amendment to remove or narrow warehousing language but ultimately believed the bill could be left as written to avoid creating ambiguity.
A county staff member noted the zoning for the park does not permit primary warehouse facilities and that accessory warehousing can be allowed. "I just wanna say that warehousing is permitted in this as an accessory use," the staff member said, adding that local zoning allows up to 30% of a development to be used for warehouse functions.
The county administrator said the board of county commissioners had unanimously supported the bill and that the exemption would "help promote construction and development of our industrial park." The administrator also said that when a manufacturing facility locates at the park, it likely would need "some ancillary warehousing on-site," and that any language about warehousing could be limited to align with the 30% accessory allowance in zoning.
After brief remarks and no further questions, Senator McKay moved that the delegation support the legislation "as written." The motion was seconded by Delegate Schindler and approved with no members voting against the motion.
The delegation then opened the meeting for public comment, received none, and adjourned after a motion by Senator McKay and a second by Delegate Delia Baker.
Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 698 — Motion to send a delegation letter of support; mover: Senator McKay; second: Delegate Schindler; outcome: approved (no opposition reported).
