This is the best way to keep the tax burden down for the Hammonton residents.
Why is it that variances are given for residential projects before the applicant can even finish explaining the need, while commercial applicants are given a multitude of hoops to jump through before serious consideration is given. Commercial ratables are very important to a growing community such as ours.
The Democrats agree that it is very important to maintain our quality of life and the rural appearance of our town. However, we can still meet those goals without scaring away the commercial ratables we so desperatley need.
We need to review our master plan and our approval processes so that we can grow our community in an intelligent fashion and ease the burden on the Hammonton taxpayer.
Remember, ratables also affect the school tax rate. However, residential ratables generally have a negative effect on the school tax rate. On average a residence brings in between $3,000 and $5,000, but if even one child lives in that house it costs the school district more because on average it costs about $9,000 to educate that child. Commercial ratables, on the other hand, help the district because there are no children to educate and commercial properties usually bring in a lot more tax revenue.
We should work hand in hand with the Chamber of Commerce and other existing entities to attract commercial ratables.