BRICK – An ordinance, first introduced in 2015 that gives “Mom and Pop” business owners a break by waiving permitting and inspection fees, will likely be renewed by the governing body during the next Township Council meeting.
Since the original “Storefront Revitalization Program” was passed, some 30 vacant storefronts have been filled by business owners looking to get started with a new business,” said Mayor Lisa Crate during the meeting.
“In this proposal, the township is encouraging any new business looking to fill any vacant commercial space of 5,000 square feet or less that has been vacant for at least a year to open for business,” she said.
The program encourages small start-up businesses to open shop in the empty stores rather than build new or go into bigger spots.
The ordinance states that waiving the fees “is an effective tool in the effort to rehabilitate vacant commercial structures, including empty storefronts.”
All township permit fees will be waived to encourage the start-up. Typically, there are fees and charges associated with opening small businesses, including business license fees, parking, traffic impact fees, and building/planning review fees, the mayor said.
“All of these fees and charges fund important services, but during times of economic uncertainty and tough credit markets, they can be enough of a barrier to market entry that they impede the type of economic growth that we desperately need right now,” Mayor Crate said.
The proposed ordinance will forgive all of these fees and charges for qualifying small businesses. Entrepreneurs opening up shops in previously vacant storefronts in the township will not be required to pay the usual fees.
“This really opens the door for our small business owners to get a little bit of a hand up to get started,” she said. “I’m really excited about this.”
Councilwoman Marianna Pontoriero echoed the mayor’s sentiments.
“I want to comment on how happy I am that we are extending the waiver of fees for the empty storefronts,” she said during the portion of the meeting set aside for elected officials to speak about any topic.
“I think it’s well-known that the effects of COVID on businesses, especially small businesses, can’t be denied,” she said.
Brick was the first town to waive the permit fees and costs for areas that had been vacant to business owners and entrepreneurs, she said.
“Again, because of COVID and because of the restrictions, I saw many businesses all over, have to fold shops, so I’m hoping that this extension of the fees, which can be very significant, will encourage people to come back out and fill our storefronts,” Pontoriero said.
“It looks better, it’s better for us and I love to shop, so thank you,” she said.
The first reading of the ordinance continuing the program was passed unanimously.
A public hearing and final adoption of the ordinance, entitled “Waiver of Fees for Construction to Promote the Renovation of Existing Vacant Commercial Structures” will take place during the next council meeting, which will be on Tuesday, August 8 at 7 p.m.
