Prince George, B.C.- A request from the developers of the Prince George Global Logistics Park  for a tax exemption, has been  rejected by Council, but it was a split decision.

In the request, the developer noted the lands adjacent to the Abbotsford Airport are tax exempt.

The report from City Staff, outlined the Abbotsford lands are owned by the City of Abbotsford and not private property as is the case with the Global Logistics Park adjacent to the Prince George Airport.

The staff report notes the City has taken a number of steps to make light industrial lands near the airport available including sharing in the costs of development of Boundary Road and Promotion of the light industrial lands.

The staff report indicates the sale of vacant light industrial land has been steady for the past 4 years, and there are several major industrial rezoning and subdivision applications before the City.  “The data presented suggests the industrial marketplace in Prince George is currently very active. Anecdotal evidence from discussions with landowners, owner-operators, developers, and real estate agents further support the evidence, as there is considerable interest in the industrial marketplace, from both local and external participants” reads the report.

The report says the lands in question have not yet been fully developed, so the market has not been fully tested, therefore   staff recommended the request for a tax exemption be denied.

Councillor Albert Koehler supports the tax exemption, saying investors are now looking for an incentive. “For us, it is to get companies here, get people here to settle here, to increase the tax base.”  He says he sees nothing wrong with offering a tax exemption “and potential investors if they know about it, will probably come here.”

Councillor Lyn Hall says “It may not be right today, but it may be right 6 or 8 months down the road”  he wanted to know if this could be “held in abeyance” for a time.

“We could absolutely diarize this to come back in three years or if the market conditions change to have a discussion around that” says City Manager Beth James.

Mayor Green  did not agree,  saying  putting this item on hold,  only leaves potential investors wondering if they can hold on  for a while to see if they can get a better deal.  She says there needs to be certainty on the matter.

Director of Development and Planning, Ian Wells says he spoke with the property owner recently and explained the staff thoughts against the idea of a tax exemption “And he didn’t indicate he had any concerns with this.”

Councillors Dave Wilbur, Cameron Stolz, Lyn Hall , Garth Frizzell and the Mayor  supported the recommendation that no tax exemption be allowed at this time.

Councillors Brian Skakun, Frank Everitt and Albert Koehler voted against the  recommendation.  Councillor Murry Krause was  absent.