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Evendale council holds first reading of residential tax‑abatement plan for older neighborhoods
Summary
Council heard a detailed first reading of Ordinance 26‑08, a proposal to create a residential Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) covering about 435 parcels in Evendale’s original subdivisions that would offer an 8‑year, 50% tax abatement for qualifying owner‑occupied renovations and certain new construction, subject to county and state certification.
Evendale village staff on Monday gave council a first reading of a proposal to establish a residential Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) covering roughly 435 parcels in the village’s original subdivisions, with the stated goal of encouraging renovation and neighborhood stabilization.
Mister Elmer, presenting the ordinance, said the CRA would apply only to owner‑occupied, single‑family homes in the mapped area and would offer an eight‑year, 50 percent real‑estate tax abatement on qualifying improvements. "If you meet those criteria, you are eligible to receive an 8 year 50% real estate property tax abatement," Elmer said during the presentation.
Under the terms explained to council, renovations must exceed $75,000 in value to qualify for the abatement; construction of a new home would qualify with a minimum project cost of $500,000. The abatement applies to the increased assessed value attributable to the qualifying improvement and the county auditor makes the final assessment. Elmer cautioned that an owner’s tax savings will depend on the auditor’s valuation of the improvement.
Elmer said the village identified 435 parcels that meet statutory criteria (houses generally built from the 1950s through 1969) and showed a map in the ordinance packet. He noted the village has two existing CRAs (both commercial) and cited Blue Ash’s residential program as a model used in staff review.
The ordinance text cites the Ohio Revised Code sections referenced by staff. Elmer said that if council approves the ordinance later, it would need certification by the Ohio Department of Development before the program could be implemented.
Councilmembers asked clarifying questions, including how the abatement would translate to a homeowner’s realized tax savings. A resident’s example and staff response illustrated the uncertainty: a hypothetical $75,000 qualifying increase on a $200,000 home could yield roughly $500 in tax relief in the first year under the 50 percent rate, but Elmer emphasized that final dollar amounts depend on the auditor’s assessment.
The ordinance received only a first reading and was scheduled to return to council in March for further consideration. Staff said a map and additional explanatory material would be posted on the village website by the end of the week to help property owners evaluate eligibility.
