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Munhall officials consider 'deteriorated area' zoning to unlock tax abatement options
Summary
Council workshop discussion centered on creating a local "deteriorated area" designation that would let the borough offer tax abatements or participate in tax-forgiveness processes used by neighboring boroughs. Staff advised drafting an ordinance and bringing it to the solicitor; the council agreed to place the matter on next week’s agenda.
Munhall Borough Council members and residents discussed a draft approach to designate parts of the borough as a "deteriorated area" that would make properties eligible for tax abatement or for programs that allow back‑tax forgiveness in coordination with the school district and county.
Resident speaker Bridal Triga, who identified herself at the meeting, said the Steel Valley School District and Homestead Borough are already working through similar tools and that the borough will need to define the geographic boundaries and the specific program details. "So that's gonna need to be on us first to kind of go through and say, okay, this is our deteriorated area," Triga said during public comment.
Council members and staff described two distinct tools: (1) tax‑forgiveness processes (in which taxing bodies may decline to contest a tax-forfeiture petition so a property can be cleared and redeveloped) and (2) tax abatements or incentives that reduce taxes for a period (often up to 10 years) on new construction or qualified improvements. Staff emphasized the two programs operate under different legal mechanisms and administrative practices, and that the ordinance language determines eligibility, durations and whether residential or commercial work qualifies.
Staff reported informal conversations with Steel Valley School District officials that indicated the district typically waits on borough zoning or a borough designation before taking parallel action. Council members said the borough solicitor should review relevant Pennsylvania laws and the borough’s options. Council agreed to place a directive to the solicitor on next week’s agenda so staff can bring a draft ordinance and recommended boundaries back to the council for formal consideration.
The council did not take a formal vote at the workshop. Staff said they will consult the solicitor and present a draft ordinance and a recommended set of boundaries and eligibility criteria at the next meeting; the school board chair was reported to be willing to coordinate once the borough acts.
Why this matters: Designating a deteriorated area and adopting an abatement or forgiveness procedure can make long-neglected properties more attractive to developers and help return units to the tax rolls, but it also reduces near‑term tax revenue and requires clear eligibility rules and administrative processes to avoid unintended giveaways.
