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Council reviews changes to tax‑sale repurpose program; city holding 23 tax certificates pending foreclosure window
Summary
City staff proposed revisions to chapter 2.24 of the municipal code to streamline transfer of tax‑sale properties to nonprofits or, if none apply, to the MLS; staff said the city currently holds 23 tax certificates and can file for foreclosure beginning March 4, 2025.
City staff presented proposed revisions to chapter 2.24, the Tax Sale Repurpose Program, and described operational changes the city says will make it easier to move tax‑sale properties from blight to productive use.
Background and current status: staff said the city used Maryland’s authority to withhold parcels from a 2023 tax sale and obtained tax certificates for 23 properties. The city must wait the statutory redemption period before starting foreclosure; staff said the earliest the city can file for those 23 parcels is 03/04/2025. Paul (staff) described the earlier ordinance (adopted 2020) and explained the practical obstacles that prompted changes to the policy.
What changed: Council packet materials and staff described several clarifications and process improvements. Key changes: broadened eligibility beyond only 501(c)(3) nonprofits to other state‑level nonprofits engaged in housing; creation of an administrator‑appointed review committee with representatives from Community & Economic Development, permitting, vacant‑property licensing and grants to rank proposals; an abbreviated process for small vacant undevelopable lots that first offers the parcel to adjacent property owners; and a streamlined path that puts rehabable property to nonprofits first and, if no nonprofit is interested, lists parcels on MLS.
Staff said the policy still reserves the Mayor and Council’s final approval for any transfer by ordinance. For structures deemed unsafe or cost‑prohibitive to rehab, staff said the city will demolish such properties prior to transfer; the city is preparing an RFP for demolition contractors and hopes to retain a contractor to speed that work once title is acquired.
Council questions focused on neighbor notification for tiny undevelopable lots (for example on Jonathan Street), timelines for demolition, and whether community members could weigh in on proposed end users. Staff said the city will reach out to neighboring property owners (certified mail and doorstep outreach when feasible) and that council review will be part of the final transfer by ordinance, which provides a public forum for community input.
Next steps: staff asked for direction to introduce the revised chapter as an ordinance at the next Council meeting. Council members urged staff to include advance outreach to neighbors where practical and to use the committee ranking matrix to prioritize affordable‑housing outcomes. Staff noted subsequent withholding lists for future tax sales and said they expect the next round of withheld parcels to be more redevelopment‑ready.
Ending: Staff will bring the ordinance for introduction next week and will continue work on demolition contracting and the committee ranking policy.
