A bill which clarifies and updates the qualifications required to obtain historic site property tax exemption in N.J., also known as the "Cottage Bill," will be voted on Dec. 13 by the State Senate and Assembly.
The bill was introduced May 6, 2004, to more accurately define a tax-exempt historic building and is a response to University Cottage Club's attempts to file for exemption since 2001. It passed by a three -to-one vote on Sept. 27 with one abstention in the State Senate Wagering, Tourism and Historic Properties Committee.
There are currently hundreds of properties in New Jersey designated to be historic, including Cottage, but only 46 have tax-exempt status.
"What this bill does is clarify the requirements if you're going to be tax exempt. Cottage Club pays $59,000 in taxes every year. If I [and local taxpayers] have to foot the bill, we should have public access to the building," said Assemblyman Reed Gusciora, who is the primary sponsor of the bill.
The bill states that to gain tax-exempt status, a property must be listed in the New Jersey Register of Historic Places and be open to the public at least 96 days a year.
Being named a designated historic property "should be at the benefit of tax payers. The argument could be made that you should have access to it," Gusciora said.
He added that not many buildings apply for tax-exempt status. "The buildings that have applied are public access buildings and ones that have a significant status — part of the revolution or where rather significant historic events have occurred," he said.
The bill, however, was amended Dec. 6 so current historic tax-exempt properties would not be affected.
If passed, the new qualifications would only apply to new applicants for tax exemption.
"There's been misinformation the opponents have been stirring up that [current historic tax-exempt properties] have to conform to the new bill and in my opinion it's not true," Gusciora said.
Thomas Olson, attorney for Cottage, said there are current legal proceedings to appeal the court's decision to deny Cottage tax exemptions.
"It's never a good idea to legislate for a particular instance," he said.
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