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Zoning committee approves foreclosure of three parcels, agrees to sell county-owned properties
Summary
The Ashland County Zoning and Land Committee voted to foreclose on three tax-delinquent parcels and authorized staff to begin selling county-owned properties, with a plan to use a realtor and the MLS. The committee discussed publication requirements, prior audit results, and the distinction between saleable parcels and private road rights-of-way.
The Ashland County Zoning and Land Committee voted April 22 to take three tax-delinquent parcels toward foreclosure and directed county staff to put county-owned properties up for sale, discussing publication requirements and the possible use of a realtor to list the parcels on the MLS.
Pat Kenny, a committee member, moved that the county take parcel numbers 101-00744-0000, 022-01190-0100 and 022-01516-0500 for foreclosure; Jim Schultz seconded the motion, which the committee approved by voice vote. The motion initiates the process the committee and staff described earlier in the meeting for foreclosure and subsequent disposition.
Krish (zoning staff) presented the department’s March issued permits and revenue report and noted the office had received a clean state audit for 2024. Committee members then reviewed county-owned property acquired through delinquent tax foreclosure. Staff highlighted two private-road right-of-way parcels and a range of other small lots that, staff said, have limited market value.
Committee members discussed how to market and sell the properties. Bruce (zoning staff) and others said the county is required to sell parcels obtained via delinquent-tax foreclosure under Act 209 (as referenced in the meeting) and that the committee’s preference is to hire a realtor to list the sellable properties on the MLS. Committee members said a realtor both sets a market price and reduces liability risk for the county by avoiding direct county price-setting and by providing broader public notice.
Pat Kenny moved and Jim Schultz seconded a separate motion that the county sell county-owned properties under the zoning ordinance; that motion passed by voice vote. During discussion members confirmed that when dredged material remains in the water DNR jurisdiction applies and county permitting may not be required, but if soil is removed to land a county permit is necessary.
Committee members raised practical questions about private-road parcels — some towns previously declined to acquire such rights-of-way because of long-term maintenance responsibilities. Committee members asked staff to identify which parcels are most saleable, noting at least one listed parcel on the county-owned list had an assessed value the meeting referenced as $92,700 while a tax-delinquent parcel was noted with an assessed value $69,300 and back taxes described as “far, far lower” (exact back-tax figures were not specified in the meeting). Members asked staff to prioritize saleable parcels for the next meeting and to engage a realtor to market the properties as a package where appropriate.
Votes at a glance
- Motion to take parcels 101-00744-0000, 022-01190-0100 and 022-01516-0500 to foreclosure: moved by Pat Kenny, seconded by Jim Schultz. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
- Motion that the county sell county-owned properties under the zoning ordinance (use realtor/MLS as option): moved by Pat Kenny, seconded by Jim Schultz. Outcome: approved by voice vote.
Routine actions
- Approval of agenda (moved to allow a remote presenter to leave early): motion moved by Pat Kenny and seconded by Jim Schultz; approved by voice vote.
- Approval of March 18 meeting minutes: motion moved by Pat Kenny, seconded by Jim Schultz; approved by voice vote.
No dollar amounts for back taxes or sale proceeds were specified during committee discussion; members instructed staff to prepare saleable-parcel details for the committee’s next meeting scheduled June 10.
