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Council introduces five-year tax abatement for Route 35 shopping center; dispensed cannabis tenant noted
Summary
Aberdeen Township Council introduced Ordinance 11-2026 to authorize a five-year tax abatement for the Duck Realty shopping center at Block 241, Lot 1.01; Mayor Cannon and the township attorney said the abatement applies to the property owner, not the cannabis tenant NJ Leaf, and that dispensaries remit a 2% sales levy to the township.
Aberdeen Township Council on May 7 introduced Ordinance 11-2026, a five-year tax-exemption agreement for property improvements at a shopping-center parcel in the Route 35 overlay district.
Mayor Cannon and Township Attorney Joe Decotiis said the abatement, authorized under New Jersey law and an ordinance framework dating to 2016, applies to the property owner, Duck Realty LLC, and not to the tenant operating a cannabis dispensary. "The abatement runs with the property," Attorney Joe Decotiis said, explaining that if a tenant leaves the abatement remains with the parcel. Mayor Cannon added that the abatement does not make the property tax-free; land taxes continue to be paid and the abatement phases up over time.
The mayor said dispensaries are subject to a 2% tax on sales that is remitted to the township and cited Matawan as having received about $100,000 from dispensary sales. During the workshop portion of the meeting, Paula Ramsay, head of the Construction Department, described the Department's permitting activity for Aberdeen and neighboring Matawan; Council members praised the department's work in expediting business openings.
During agenda-only public comment, Mr. Bishop questioned whether the ordinance benefited the tenant or the owner and objected to introducing an abatement while property taxes are increasing. "I welcome the revenue from cannabis sales," Mr. Bishop said, "but the timing of this abatement while taxes are rising is concerning." Mayor Cannon and Attorney Decotiis responded that the application met existing ordinance criteria and therefore could not be denied on that basis.
Mayor Cannon moved to introduce Ordinance 11-2026 and set final consideration for the May 21 meeting; the motion passed on first reading, with Councilman Mirabal recorded as abstaining and Deputy Mayor Hirsch absent.
Council also directed that the ordinance be posted on the township website and made available at the Clerk's office for public review ahead of the May 21 public hearing.
