Northampton amends exemptions for historic building rehab

The Northampton County Board of Supervisors amended a policy that provides real estate tax breaks for historic building renovation Tuesday night to allow for extensions to be granted by the County’s Commissioner of Revenue.

The current plan allowed for two years to complete the project. However, since the building boom sparked by the COVID-19 pandemic, construction projects are experiencing severe delays.

“I was told I had to enroll in the program before any construction… then I had to start demolition, then I had to find a design person, an architect and an engineer,” said Todd Bricken, a Fredricksberg, MD man who recently purchased the historic Watson’s Hardware Building in Cape Charles.”That process took almost 9 months until I actually had a permit to build, so I’m 9 months into a 24 month process.”

Bricken said he then discovered three feet of sand on top of another layer of concrete, which revealed failing footers underneath the store that was at one time a movie theater. That required the design team to go back to the drawing board, which lengthened the construction time.

The proposal allowed for enrollees in the program to apply to Commissioner of Revenue Consuela Gonzalez for up to two additional one year extensions. Should Gonzalez deny the request, there is an appeals process applicants can pursue.

“I’m not a professional builder, I’m just a person who wants to retire here and needed some sort of project for me to stay busy, so now I’m busy,” Bricken added.

The proposal was approved unanimously.