Planner outlines proposed updates to Hebron—s Economic Development Incentive Program to match state statute; council requests follow-up
Summary
Town planner Matt Whirl presented a draft to align Hebron—s incentive policy with Connecticut statute 12-65b, including possible personal property abatements, expanded eligible uses (including multifamily), longer terms and a reimbursement option for public improvements; council discussed flexibility and administrative burden and asked staff to refine forms and examples.
Matt Whirl, Hebron's director of planning and development, briefed the council on recommended updates to the town—s Economic Development Incentive Program intended to bring local policy substantially into alignment with state enabling legislation (cited in the meeting as Connecticut General Statute section 12-65b).
Whirl said the draft removes locally prescribed minimum investment thresholds, expands eligible uses (now including multifamily residential), allows the town to consider abatement of personal property and contemplates the option of longer abatement terms up to 30 years under state statute. He also described an underused reimbursement mechanism for public/utility improvements whereby the town could reimburse developers from increased tax revenues tied to those improvements over a short term.
Councilors questioned administrative complexity and whether short-term reimbursements would realistically cover large upfront costs such as road or utility construction. Members and the presenter discussed examples (an assisted-living project previously helped by extending utility infrastructure) and emphasized maintaining flexibility rather than enforcing a strict scoring rubric that could deter applicants. The Economic Development Commission will refine the draft and staff will prepare updated application forms and example cases for future council review.
