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County moves to study creation of a Washington County land bank; state funding could provide start‑up staffing
Summary
Supervisors approved moving forward on a study and application process to establish a Washington County land bank and asked staff to prepare an application and a draft mission; speakers said state land‑bank funding could supply initial administrative staffing and project funds if the county proceeds.
Washington County supervisors voted to advance planning to form a New York State–authorized land bank and asked staff to prepare an application and to bring a draft mission and governance structure back to the committee.
County staff and a guest with experience operating the Essex County land bank described how a county land bank can acquire blighted, abandoned or tax‑foreclosed properties, remove hazards and return property to municipal use or affordable housing. The presenter explained that once a county creates the separate legal entity recognized under New York’s land‑bank statute, the entity can apply for state land‑bank funding: an initial award often near $100,000 for administrative start‑up and a larger allocation in a subsequent year, depending on the program and eligibility.
Speakers described typical acquisition paths—municipal donation, bank transfers or property removed from tax‑foreclosure auctions—and noted that the land bank can hold property temporarily for demolition, remediation or redevelopment. Presenters discussed standard program details including deed restrictions to preserve affordability; the land bank’s federal‑ and state‑funding eligibility; exemption from property tax while the land bank directly holds a property during redevelopment; and the potential for program income when rehabilitated properties are sold under restricted resale rules to sustain future work.
Supervisors asked about governance and the board composition; staff recommended a small board of five or more directors and suggested statutory requirements and operational continuity measures (for example, ex‑officio seats tied to county offices). Supervisors asked that drafts be returned to the committee with candidate board membership options and the projected application timeline. The committee approved a motion to proceed with completing the application and to return with a proposed governance plan and public‑hearing schedule.
