POLL: Should LEED-Certified Offices Pay Less Property Taxes?

With the lasting effects of BRAC bringing in more consumers, Aberdeen municipal government officials hope to draw new businesses with its latest proposed ordinance.

Mayor Michael Bennett and City Council members , which allows a smaller property tax rate for a subclass of businesses that meet LEED and other standards. The ordinance is part of the government's plan to promote sustainable development throughout the city.

The firms would be part of the Business LEED Office Building Subclass, which would pay less property taxes to Aberdeen municipal government in return for energy-saving and environment-friendly building standards.

The businesses must meet all of the following criteria, according to Ordinance No. 12-O-02 LEED Office Building Tax Subclass:

• The improvements must be part of an office building for commercial services, such as banks, restaurants, gyms and coffee shops.
• The office building must have a minimum of 50,000 square feet of gross floor area.
• Aberdeen government must have granted a Use and Occupancy Permit to the office building on or after Jan. 1, 2011.
• The office building must have and maintain a LEED Silver designation or, in the discretion of Aberdeen government officials, a similar designation from a comparable entity that rates buildings for energy efficiency.
• The space where office building is located cannot be eligible for an Enterprise Zone tax credit.

Bennett is one of the founding mayors of Maryland Sustainable Certified, an initiative designed to support municipalities as they look for cost-effective ways to protect natural assets and revitalize their communities.