Council renews storefront fee‑waiver program through 2025 after residents press for data on effectiveness

The Township Council voted to extend a fee‑waiver ordinance that encourages renovation of long‑vacant storefronts by waving township permit fees for qualifying projects through Dec. 31, 2025.

Mayor Crate introduced the renewal and said the program—started in 2015 and renewed periodically—was intended to help “mom-and-pop” businesses occupy storefronts that had been vacant for at least a year. She told the council the program has resulted in more than 30 businesses taking advantage of the waiver since inception.

Resident Charlie Bacon challenged that assertion in public comment, asking, “Did they come in solely because of this? Do we have that statistic?” Bacon argued the township should quantify the program’s fiscal impact before renewing it and recommended pausing the renewal if staff could not show evidence the waiver drove business openings.

Council members and staff replied that the benefit is a waiver of permit/application fees—not a direct taxpayer subsidy—and that building‑department staff have provided anecdotal feedback from business applicants that the waiver was helpful. Joanne Bergen said the waiver applies to permit fees that would otherwise be collected; the council noted the program targets small commercial spaces under 5,000 square feet that have been vacant at least 12 months.

After discussion the council voted to extend the ordinance by roll call. The record of the meeting does not include a detailed cost‑benefit accounting for the program; council members invited residents to request follow‑up information and staff offered to provide further data if available.

Next steps: staff to provide any available data on program take‑up and fee revenue forgone upon request; the waiver will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2025.