Aberdeen Unveils Incentive Plan for Home Improvements and Single Family Home Construction in Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach

Following the recent introduction of incentive plans designed to encourage new commercial development and improvements to existing buildings located along the Route 35 corridor, Aberdeen Township officials have unveiled a new five-year tax exemption program for owners of residential properties.

This program will offer the following incentives:

• An exemption of 30% of the additional new tax assessment to construct a new a single dwelling.
• An exemption of $25,000 of the additional new tax assessment to construct an addition.
• An exemption of $25,000 of the additional new tax assessment for other major improvements to a home (such as adding a pool, deck, re-siding, remodeling kitchens or bathrooms, replacing windows, doors or roofs, etc.)

The exemptions being offered are the highest allowed under state law. The exemption for construction of additions or improvements applies to dwellings that are more than 20 years old.

“Under an ordinance adopted by the Aberdeen Township Council in accordance with a state statute, the Route 35 corridor and adjoining areas of Cliffwood and Cliffwood Beach were designated as an ‘area in need of rehabilitation’,” explained Mayor Fred Tagliarini. “With this designation, commercial and residential property owners expanding or undertaking major renovations of existing buildings will receive a five-year exemption from property taxes for the assessed value of those improvements.”

Township Tax Assessor Scott Kineavy noted that property owners seeking these incentives must apply to the Tax Assessor, with all applications subject to additional review by the Township Council. Incentives can be denied if the property is not located within the designated geographic area; if property taxes are delinquent; if an improvement project does not conform to the ordinance’s standards (e.g., ordinary painting, repairs or replacement of maintenance items, or repairs from a fire for which insurance payments were received within three years prior to the application for the tax exemption); and if the application is not submitted in timely fashion. Denials can be appealed to the County Tax Board or the State Tax Court.

For complete information on the programs, contact Scott Kineavy at (732) 583-4200, ext. 122.