Released: April 18, 2023
The Delaware County Redevelopment Authority (DCRDA) is soliciting feedback on the proposed policies and procedures for the Delaware County Land Bank. The Delaware County Redevelopment Authority became the appointed authority for the Delaware County Land Bank in 2022.
Land Banks are intended to reduce blight and spur economic development by transferring properties that are vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent back to productive use in alignment with community goals and through creative leadership that engages key partners to leverage resources. The Delaware County Land Bank will prioritize strategic development for vacant and abandoned properties in the county. DCRDA has priority bidding at real estate tax sales, a streamlined process for lien discharge, and the ability to expedite quiet title proceedings.
“The County’s new land bank program gives us one more tool for improving our local communities by acquiring, redeveloping and returning blighted property to productive residential, recreational, commercial and industrial uses for our residents,” said Delaware County Council Vice Chair Elaine Paul Schaefer. “That return to a productive end use also returns properties to the tax rolls and reduces the tax burden shared by the residents of the community.”
The proposed policies and procedures will govern the administration and activity of the Land Bank in Delaware County. The policies cover the acquisition, disposition, and conveyance of properties and public input and communication. They will be reviewed at least every other year by the DCRDA Board of Directors.
The proposed policies and procedures can be found at www.delcopa.org/delcolandbank The DCRDA is soliciting public comment on the policies and procedures through Friday, May 5th at 5:00pm ET. Comment can be registered via the comment form online at the above address or by emailing publiccomment@delcopa.org.