TROY – A “Restore Troy” plan proposed by Councilman John Brown, D-At Large, is currently awaiting action by the state Legislature.

Brown, who is seeking re-election in November, first announced the plan two years ago with hopes to place a moratorium on increasing residential units in homes and to create incentives for converting multi-unit residential buildings into single-family or two-family owner occupied homes through tax abatement.

The council passed the moratorium in early 2008 and Brown is now hoping the Legislature will approve the state incentives.

“The goal is to make Troy an attractive place for families and to try to keep our neighborhoods clean and safe. This plan will help people make the investment in Troy and make for stronger neighborhoods,” said Brown.

The proposed bills before the Legislature would allow the city to adopt a local law to freeze the assess value of a home and allow the city assessor’s office to gradually increase the property assessment over eight years.

Similar legislation adopted by the council in 2005 limited eligibility to improved properties that were one or two family residences, eliminating the opportunity for owners interested in restoring homes that were broken into multiple units from taking advantage of the incentive.

“I think this legislation will be extremely helpful to homeowner’s as the council begins down-zoning in North Troy and across the rest of the city.” said Brown, who thanked Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari, D-Cohoes, and Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, for introducing the bills at the state level.

“When I ran for office two years ago I pledged to work with state leaders to do what’s necessary to get things done for our city. I want to continue to do that.”