City of Reading, PA

Reinventing the

BPRC Process

Linda A. Kelleher CMC City Clerk

BPRC

Enacted by the City of Reading Council in 2006

Composed of representatives from City Council, the Planning Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, and at large citizens

First hearing in 2009, after training sessions with BPRCs in Allentown and Harrisburg

What is a

Blighted Property?

Any property that is regarded or declared a “public nuisance” and unfit for human habitation, or

Any property without functioning utilities, or

Any unoccupied property that is tax delinquent for a 2 year period, or

Any property receiving a notice to rehabilitate and failing to take corrective action within 12 months, or

Any property meeting the statutory definition of “abandoned”

Definition of Abandoned

Has a municipal lien for the cost of demo that remains unpaid for a period of 6 months.

Has a total of municipal liens (for tax or municipal claim) on the property in excess of 150% of Fair Market Value

Has been declared abandoned by the owner, including, an estate that is in possession of the property.

What does blight look like?

Blight doesn’t have to be ugly

A Look at Reading

34,208 Households in Reading as per 2010 census

In 2008 1,479 vacant properties identified

In 2012 approx ¼ of all City properties meet at least 1 blighted criteria due to the increase in foreclosures and the sluggish economy

Why use the BPRC?

Do you have property owners who refuse to comply with your municipal codes?

Do you have property owners who refuse to pay their municipal bills on time?

Do you have minimal success enforcing your codes through MDJ and Court Hearings?

End the Game

Eliminating blight

through demo

And Rehab/Re-use

The Beauty of BPRC

No appeal before the MDJs!

Encourages owners to pay delinquencies and rehab their properties!

Requests for continuations are rejected!

Gets people’s attention faster than any citation!!!!

Start with a Warning

This letter is to advise you that the City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee is considering adding your property at 121 North 3rd Street, which meets at least one of the blight criteria under the State statute, to their Target List. A property qualifies as blighted under the statute if it has codes violations, lacks utility service, is vacant, is tax delinquent, etc.

BPRC Process Forms

Determination Notice

Blighted Property Review Committee

Determination Hearing XXXXXXXXXXXXXX at 6:00 p.m.

City Hall, Council Chambers

815 Washington Street

In the matter of:

«Addr1»

«Owner1» «Owner2», owner(s)

The above-listed property was found to be vacant, as per Codified Ordinances Chapter 1, Section 1-544 (6). This property has been identified as non-compliant

with the City’s Property Maintenance Code Section 3 General Requirements, such as trash accumulation, unsecured building, uncut grass/weeds, vermin etc. It

has also been determined to meet one or more of the conditions of blight identified in the City of Reading Codified Ordinance Chapter 1, Section 1-544 as

specified in the enclosed violation notice, which was also posted upon the subject property on April 13, 2011. This provides the property owner with notice

to abate the specific conditions identified therein.

As per Codified Ordinance Chapter 1, Section 1-545, if the above-listed property is certified as blighted, the City of Reading Redevelopment Authority has the right

to take the property via eminent domain proceedings if the conditions are not abated.

Persons affected may appear at the hearing to show cause why this action should

be stayed, modified, or rescinded.

For additional information or to

register for the hearing, call the

Council Office at 610 655 6204 or e mail

Council@readingpa.org

________________________________________ Lee Olsen, AIA, NCARB, Chair

________________________________________ Linda Kelleher, Secretary

BPRC Process Forms

with Checklist

BPRC Process Forms

Determination Order

November 19, 2010

«Owner1» «Owner2»

«OwnerAddr1»

«OwnerAddr2»

Re: «Addr1»

Dear «Owner1» «Owner2»:

This letter is your official notice that the City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee (BPRC) has determined

«Addr1» to be blighted at the BPRC Determination hearing that occurred on Thursday, November 18, 2010, under the

provisions set forth in the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act (Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991, 385

§12.1, as amended June 23, 1978 P.L. 556, 94 §2; 35 P.S. §1712.1). Your property exhibits one or more of the nine

conditions of blight listed in the Law and identified in previous correspondence regarding this matter. You are hereby

notified of the Certification Hearing for this property scheduled for January 20, 2011, which shall also be posted on

upon the property.

As the owner or agent of «Addr1», you are hereby ordered to eliminate the conditions resulting in this blight

designation before the BPRC Certification Hearing scheduled for January 20, 2011at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, City

Hall. If these conditions are not addressed, your property will become eligible for condemnation and acquisition by the

Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading under the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act

and the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code.

Removing your property from this process requires working closely with the City of Reading Building, Trades, Fire and

Codes Offices to remediate the problematic conditions cited in the determination hearing. Please contact Mr. Steven

Haver, Community Development Specialist at (610) 655-5336 to discuss your options or if you have any questions about

the conditions that have resulted in your property being classified as blighted.

For more information about the blighted property process, contact City Clerk Linda Kelleher in the City Council Office

at 610 655 6204.

Sincerely,

City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee

Lee Olsen, Chair

Attest:

____________________________________

Linda A. Kelleher CMC, City Clerk

BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE

OFFICE 2-24

815 WASHINGTON STREET

READING, PA 19601-3690

(610) 655-6204

CITY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA

FAX: (610)373-2858

BPRC Process Forms

With Certification Notice

Blighted Property Review Committee

Certification Hearing Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.

City Hall, Council Chambers

815 Washington Street

In the matter of:

«Addr1»

«Owner1» «Owner2», owner(s)

The above-listed property was found to be vacant, as per Codified Ordinances Chapter 1, Section 1-544 (6). This property has been cited by the City’s Codes Office for various quality of life violations of the City’s Property Maintenance

Code Section 3 General Requirements, such as trash accumulation, uncut grass/weeds, graffiti, etc. On April 13, 2011, the property owner was provided

with notice to abate the specific conditions identified in the determination notice. On May 19, a hearing was held and the property was determined to be blighted in

accordance with the ordinance.

Notice is hereby served via regular and certified mail that the owner has 60 days to abate the blight conditions in evidence at the subject property. Failure to do

so will result in the property being certified as blighted. As per Codified Ordinance Chapter 1, Section 1-545, the City of Reading Redevelopment Authority

has the right to take the property via eminent domain proceedings if the conditions are not abated and the property is certified as blighted.

Persons affected may appear at the hearing to show cause why this action should

be stayed, modified, or rescinded.

For additional information or to

register for the hearing, call the

Council Office at 610 655 6204 or e mail

Council@readingpa.org

________________________________________ Lee Olsen, AIA, NCARB, Chair

________________________________________ Linda Kelleher, Secretary

BPRC Process Forms

Certification Order

November 19, 2010

«Owner1» «Owner2»

«OwnerAddr1»

«OwnerAddr2»

Re: «Addr1»

Dear «Owner1» «Owner2»:

This letter is your official notice that the City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee (BPRC) has determined

«Addr1» to be blighted at the BPRC Determination hearing that occurred on Thursday, November 18, 2010, under the

provisions set forth in the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act (Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991, 385

§12.1, as amended June 23, 1978 P.L. 556, 94 §2; 35 P.S. §1712.1). Your property exhibits one or more of the nine

conditions of blight listed in the Law and identified in previous correspondence regarding this matter. You are hereby

notified of the Certification Hearing for this property scheduled for January 20, 2011, which shall also be posted on

upon the property.

As the owner or agent of «Addr1», you are hereby ordered to eliminate the conditions resulting in this blight

designation before the BPRC Certification Hearing scheduled for January 20, 2011at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, City

Hall. If these conditions are not addressed, your property will become eligible for condemnation and acquisition by the

Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading under the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act

and the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code.

Removing your property from this process requires working closely with the City of Reading Building, Trades, Fire and

Codes Offices to remediate the problematic conditions cited in the determination hearing. Please contact Mr. Steven

Haver, Community Development Specialist at (610) 655-5336 to discuss your options or if you have any questions about

the conditions that have resulted in your property being classified as blighted.

For more information about the blighted property process, contact City Clerk Linda Kelleher in the City Council Office

at 610 655 6204.

Sincerely,

City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee

Lee Olsen, Chair

Attest:

____________________________________

Linda A. Kelleher CMC, City Clerk

BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE

OFFICE 2-24

815 WASHINGTON STREET

READING, PA 19601-3690

(610) 655-6204

CITY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA

FAX: (610)373-2858

2009 BPRC Success

12 properties certified as blighted

3 - demolished under waiver

5 - rehabilitated by owner or NGO

3 - undergoing Eminent Domain

1 – contested in court (recently extinguished due to lack of action)

Next step...ramp up the process

2010 BPRC Success:

32 properties certified as blighted, almost triple of first year output, BUT...

Hearings still too process bottlenecked

Hearings still lengthy and wearing for BPRC members and staff

Efficiency Improvements Required!!

2011 Streamline

the Process!

45 Minutes for a 12-15 property hearing

Affidavits from City Offices

Summary Sheet to enter conditions into the record

Consent Agenda format when property owners are not present

Turned 32 properties a year into

120 properties a year

Property Summary Sheet

Improvements for 2012

Centralize support process into existing Codes Department

Automate form creation with the City’s database

Rehab follow up from responsible departments – Codes or Building/Trades

Utilize new legal tools from Act 90

Add blight criteria to the Property Maintenance Code

After the Hearing

Work with legal to select an acquisition process...eminent domain or other

Work with NGOs to take title, rehab and sell for owner occupancy

Work with your local realtors to develop a program that supports rehab and reuse

Morale of the Story?

Don’t let this Turn into this

Reading Blighted Property Review Committee

Questions?

Linda.kelleher@readingpa.org

Phone: 610-655-6204