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Land Bank Commission asks city to consider Murray Street parcels for transfer or conservation
Summary
Commissioners reviewed a set of high‑priority Murray Street parcels, discussed tax‑acquired property processes and agreed to send a communication to city staff requesting the parcels be considered for transfer to the land bank or for water‑quality protection.
The Portland Land Bank Commission reviewed updates on a cluster of high‑priority parcels near Murray Street and agreed to notify city staff and the city committee that oversees tax‑acquired and city‑owned parcels to consider the group for transfer to the land bank or for water‑quality protection.
Commission members discussed roughly 11 parcels on Murray Street that appear on the commission's high‑priority list. Staff said the parcels are shaded on the shared map (described in the meeting as purple highlights) and include a mix of privately held property and tax‑acquired parcels. Staff said some parcels had previously been discussed with owners, including a prior owner who is now deceased; the properties remain privately held unless and until tax foreclosure or municipal acquisition occurs.
Staff and commissioners noted two pathways: (1) recommend the parcels for transfer into the land bank if they become municipal property through tax foreclosure or other means; or (2) recommend the parcels be evaluated and reserved for stormwater or water‑quality buffers, given streams and hydrologic features on and near the parcels. One staff member described the parcels as potentially valuable for trail expansion and for protecting water resources.
Commissioners discussed procedural constraints. A representative described COTAPAC (the city committee that reviews city‑owned and tax‑acquired properties) as the body that makes recommendations to the city manager. Staff explained that tax‑acquired parcels can be redeemed by prior owners for a statutory redemption period after the municipality takes steps on the property, and that a new state law now requires certain marketing steps — for example listing tax‑acquired properties with an agent — and may require appraisals for retained parcels. Staff cautioned that taking on multiple parcels could increase the city's workload and might trigger appraisal or listing requirements under recent statutory changes.
The commission unanimously agreed (by consensus) to send an email communication and map to city staff and COTAPAC asking that the purple‑shaded Murray Street parcels be considered for transfer to the land bank or for water‑quality protection. Commissioners emphasized the request is a recommendation to city staff and not a final disposition; any transfer or retention would follow the city's statutory processes and any appraisal or marketing requirements.
The commission also discussed a separate developer offer involving a remainder parcel outside the city limits. Staff said the city still holds title to the parcel in questions about carve‑outs, and that holding parcels outside city limits raises tax and administrative questions because the land bank would be taking on property subject to the other jurisdiction's tax rules.
What happened next: Staff will draft and send the communication and attach the map that shows the purple‑highlighted parcels, and the commission will follow up as needed once COTAPAC or city staff respond.
