Manager reports Crafton exploring membership in county land bank to address vacant properties

Crafton’s borough manager told council on April 8 that he met with the regional land bank to explore membership as a tool to address vacant and tax‑delinquent properties.

The manager explained the land bank — enabled by state law in 2012 — can purchase properties that do not sell at sheriff sale, rehabilitate or resell them and thereby remove blight without the borough having to pursue costly demolition. Under the typical land bank model the borough would pay an annual fee, the land bank would acquire property, rehabilitate and sell it, and the borough would receive a portion of tax revenue thereafter. The manager said the land bank requests advisory input from member communities to prioritize properties they want the land bank to pursue.

The manager said Crafton would need to commit to membership by October if it wants to participate in the upcoming round and that several local properties appear to be candidates for the program. He also clarified properties owned by the school district or municipality are not eligible unless they are tax‑delinquent. Council discussion framed the land bank as a tool to preserve existing housing stock rather than clear lots for redevelopment: the manager reiterated that demolition often makes future redevelopment unlikely because building costs exceed current sale prices.

Why it matters: joining a land bank would give Crafton an additional tool to address vacant and deteriorated properties without immediate borough capital expenditures for demolition; specific costs and revenue sharing were described as part of the land bank model and will be part of future council consideration.