Blighted Property Review Committee

1. Blighted Property  Review Committee

2. What is the BPRC? The Blighted Property Review Committee promotes the reuse of and reinvestment in properties in the City of Reading

3. Who is on the BPRC? The BPRC Members: City Council - Steve Fuhs Redevelopment Authority � David Johnson Dan Luckey Planning Commission � Wayne Bealer Mayor�s Designee � Lee Olsen, AIA, NCARB Citizens at Large � Rev. Mary Wolfe Manuel Candelario BPRC Staff City Council Office � Linda Kelleher CMC, City Clerk CD Department � Dan Wright Housing, Specialist Planning Office - Andrew Miller, City Planner Trades Office � Steve Franco, Chief Building Inspector

4. BPRC Implemented under the provisions of Federal Urban Redevelopment Law Established by City Council Oct 23, 2006, sponsored by Councilor Steve Fuhs Replaces the Vacant Property Review Committee, established in 1986 Composed of representatives from City Council, the Planning Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, a representative of the Mayor and at large citizens

5. What is a  Blighted Property? Any property that is regarded or declared a �public nuisance� and unfit for human habitation Any property without functioning utilities Any unoccupied property that is tax delinquent for a 2 year period Any property receiving a notice to rehabilitate and failing to take corrective action within 12 months

6. The BPRC Process Identify and rate the blighted properties within the City, using the 8 definitions of blight from the BPRC Ordinance BPRC selects individual properties, a target neighborhood and a target area, targeting approximately 20-25 blighted properties at least one time per year City Building Official mails inspection notices

7. BPRC Process continued After the inspection the Building Official mails a notice to the owner directing that the identified problems be corrected. Blight Notices mailed to owner 60 days after the inspection Determination of Blight letters mailed to property owners � owner has 90 days to rehab

8. BPRC Process continued Properties out of compliance after 4 months are referred to Determination Hearing � owner has 60 days to comply Lack of compliance moves the property to a Blight Certification Hearing by the BPRC � those results are certified by the Planning Commission Property moves to the Redevelopment Authority and the Eminent Domain process begins.

9. Any premise which because of physical condition or use is regarded as a public nuisance at common law, or has been declared a public nuisance in accordance with the local housing, building, plumbing, fire and related codes. Any premise which because of physical condition, use or occupancy is considered an attractive nuisance to children, including but not limited to abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, and unsafe fences or structures. Any dwelling which because of its dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, vermin infested state or because of its lacking in the facilities and equipment required by the housing or building codes of the municipality, has been designated by the department responsible for enforcement of the code as unfit for human habitation. Any structure which is a fire hazard, or is otherwise dangerous to the safety of persons or property. Any structure, from which utilities, plumbing, heating, sewerage or other facilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed, or rendered ineffective so that the property is unfit for its intended use. Any vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground in a predominantly built-up neighborhood, which by reason or neglect or lack of maintenance has become a place for accumulation of trash and debris, or a haven for rodents or other vermin. Any unoccupied property which has been tax delinquent for a period of two years prior to the effective date of this act, and those in the future having a two year tax delinquency. Any property which is vacant but not tax delinquent, which has not been rehabilitated within one year of the receipt of notice to rehabilitate from the appropriate code enforcement agency. Any abandoned property. A property shall be considered abandoned if: � it is a vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground on which a municipal lien for the cost of demolition of any structure located on the property remains unpaid for a period of six months; � it is a vacant property or vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground on which the total of municipal liens on the property for tax or any other type of claim of the municipality are in excess of 150% of the fair market value of the property as established by any body with legal authority to determine the taxable value of the property; or � the property has been declared abandoned by the owner, including, an estate that is in possession of the property.

10. BPRC Target Area Target area selected by Review of Blighted Property Map City redevelopment plans Proximity to stabilized neighborhoods/areas Buttonwood Gateway- Goggleworks area 16 properties Washington St � Buttonwood St North 3rd Street to Schuylkill Avenue

11. BPRC Target  Neighborhood Target Neighborhood selected by Review of Blighted Property Map Neighborhood needs � parking, recreation, etc. Proximity to stabilized neighborhoods Recent issues-conditions identified by Codes Office 600 block of North Front Street 2 properties

12. BPRC Target  Properties Individual Target Properties selected by: Review of Blighted Property Map Located in high traffic area or create blight in stable block 3 Penn Street Properties targeted

13. Reuse Plan Determined by Planning Commission Rehabilitate Demolish and Rebuild Demolish and Reuse (parking lot, park, etc.)

14. BPRC Committees The BPRC created 4 subcommittees to assist in Grant Funding � Lee Olsen, AIA, NCARB, Chair Education � Manuel Candelario, Chair Codes � Wayne Bealer, Chair Research � Rev Mary Wolfe, Chair Committee Chairs can invite other community members to assist them with their assigned committee

15. BPRC Initiatives While the BPRC is working to address and correct problem properties, they recently identified a way to recognize responsible property owners. The BPRC recently decided to introduce the Properties of Merit program to the City of Reading.

16. Properties of Merit - POM POM programs are based on the �broken windows� theory which argues that if left unchecked minor nuisances become major problems. Thus if you publicly recognize property owners who maintain their properties others may also seek that public recognition

17. POM Programs POM programs are not �silver bullet�, heavily funded solutions. POM programs apply simple and adaptable actions designed on the basic principles of community revitalization and improvement and are executed on an annual basis by volunteer citizens.

18. POM POM has a partnership with Home Depot, who contributes approximately $6,000 in home improvement materials and discounts annually to participating communities. Home Depot is encouraging a Reading based program

19. POM Programs Other communities where POM is at work: Allentown Erie Farrell/Sharon Penbrook Philadelphia Harrisburg Scranton/Wilkes Barre Williamsport Pittsburgh

20. BPRC Meetings The BPRC currently meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Council Office