The Neighborhood and Community Development standing committee approved a broad set of land‑bank transfers, yard extensions and community garden requests on June 2, advancing dozens of small residential and community‑use projects. Two applications were held over for follow‑up: one to allow the applicant to contact a neighborhood organization that reported no prior outreach, and one to clarify whether a parcel currently titled to the Unified Government should first be transferred into the Land Bank before being conveyed to a private requester.

Redevelopment coordinator Michael Sutton presented roughly three dozen property transfer, yard extension and garden applications. Most were routine new‑construction yard extensions, small infill projects and community garden transfers. Several neighborhood associations reviewed notifications and either supported the requests or asked for standard conditions such as soil testing and site cleanliness.

Held items and procedural caution
- The committee held over PT‑10 (1347 Roland Avenue) after neighborhood representatives told staff they had not been contacted. The committee asked the applicant to meet with the neighborhood group and return with evidence of outreach.
- PT‑29 (14 South James Street) involves a UG‑owned lot that an adjacent commercial property owner has asked to acquire; staff and commissioners asked for a clarification of title and confirmation the UG‑owned lot be transferred to the Land Bank (as the usual process) before a conveyance to the requester.

Why it matters
Land Bank sales, yard extensions and garden transfers move underused lots back to active use — for new homes, rental properties, small multiunits and community gardens — and are an important mechanism for cleaning up blighted parcels and returning them to productive occupancy in neighborhoods.

Highlights
- Approved items included multiple small new construction and multiunit infill approvals, several community gardens and a small set of commercial yard extensions where the applicant already controls adjacent parcels.
- The committee requested that where neighborhood groups exist applicants should make reasonable outreach efforts; staff noted the land‑bank process is distinct from a zoning or special‑use entitlement and that neighborhood outreach is best practice but not always required in the land‑bank transfer rules.

Next steps
Applicants for the held items will be asked to demonstrate outreach and/or clarify title; staff will return those items to the next standing committee agenda after the follow‑up is complete. For approved transfers, staff will complete transfer paperwork and track implementation of any neighborhood conditions (soil testing, cleanup) through the land‑bank office.

Speakers
Michael Sutton, redevelopment coordinator, presented the transfers and answered procedural questions. Commissioners raised questions about outreach and the UG‑owned lot disposition process.

Why readers should care
Land Bank transfers affect neighborhood development patterns and property maintenance; the approvals signal more infill housing and community garden opportunities in affected neighborhoods, while the held items emphasize the importance of neighborhood notification and clear title processes.