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City requests county withhold six tax-sale parcels; commissioners approve withholding and waiver
Summary
City staff asked the Board to certify six properties for withholding from the 2025 tax sale under state rules so the city may pursue acquisition and rehabilitation; commissioners voted to withhold the parcels and waive county taxes at city acquisition.
City staff asked the Board of County Commissioners on March 25 to certify six parcels so the city may withhold them from the upcoming 2025 tax sale and pursue acquisition under Maryland tax-sale procedures.
The city presenter reviewed six properties visited in June 2024 and summarized current conditions and apparent title histories: 237 Winter Street (single-family, minor fire 2013, rehabilitable), 319 Wakefield (vacant since 2009, rehabilitable), 323 Wakefield (adjacent to 319, vacant long-term), 204 Devonshire (vacant since 2020, owner deceased), 316 Liberty Street (structurally failing; recommended demolition), and 148 West North Avenue (vacant lot where a three-story garage had been demolished). Presenters said many owners are deceased and nonprofit partners including Habitat for Humanity, the Community Action Council, and Harrison Housing Authority have expressed interest in rehabilitation or future acquisition.
City staff asked the board to withhold the six parcels under the Code of Maryland Regulations cited in the request (COMAR 14.08.11.C and relevant Tax-Property Article provisions) and to agree to waive county taxes that would be due at the point of city acquisition. County staff told the board they concurred and that withholding and subsequent city acquisition would return the properties to the tax rolls once repaired or redeveloped. Commissioners supported the request and the board moved, seconded and approved withholding with a recorded voice vote of ayes.
Ending: County staff said they would confirm whether any of the parcels had active tax-certificate purchasers from prior years before finalizing withholding; commissioners approved staff concurrence and the motion to withhold the six parcels for city acquisition.
