City rolls out 79-E tax relief program for building with no commercial space

A developer and the city are urging the use of 79-E tax relief to renovate 135 North Main St. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A public hearing on the city's move to provide tax relief for the cost of renovations to 135 North Main St. is set for Tuesday.
The tax relief mechanism, known as 79-E, allows for the owner to pay taxes on the building's pre-renovations valuation for a number of years.
According to a press release from the city, 79-E is in place to "encourage the rehabilitation and active use of underutilized buildings."
"The developer will be renovating the inside of the entire building," the press release states. "There are currently two residential units located on the second and third floors. Those apartments will be completely renovated. There is a vacant first-floor commercial space that will be converted into a three-bedroom apartment."
The developer, whose name was not made public in the press release, is asking for seven years of 79-E tax relief, which also allows for additional tax relief for new residential units up to two years,
The City of Rochester brought the proposal forward and is urging the City Council to approve the tax relief package, which in the past has only been used for development in which commercial space is involved.
This is believed to be the first that is strictly residential.

The Public Hearing, which will also be a forum for input on the repurposing of the Gafney Home to elderly housing, begins at 6 p.m.