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Land Bank meeting: board approves sale price for Davis Street, authorizes variance application for Miller Street and hears pipeline updates
Summary
At its most recent meeting the Chemung County Land Bank approved minutes and financials, set a $152,000 listing price (negotiable within 10%) for 1839 Davis Street, authorized a variance application for 201 East Miller Street, and reviewed updates on multiple construction and demolition projects across Elmira.
The Chemung County Land Bank handled routine business, approved a number of resolutions and reviewed project updates for properties across Elmira and Chemung County.
Minutes and financials The board approved the July meeting minutes and the August financial reports by voice votes. Staff noted accounting changes that now show pending grant draw amounts sooner in the monthly statements; staff said one outstanding issue is a $7,500 timing deficit that will be covered when a reimbursement request is submitted.
Davis Street sale price The board approved a recommended sale price of $152,000 for 1839 Davis Street and amended the resolution to allow staff to negotiate within 10% up or down of that figure without returning to the board. Staff said the price was set after comparative market analysis and that the house will be advertised and listed; staff also described owner-occupancy and income-verification requirements for some houses depending on funding source.
201 East Miller Street variance The board authorized staff to apply for a zoning variance for 201 East Miller Street to pursue an infill project. Staff said the site requires minor setback variances and that the Land Bank must submit drawings and a zoning-board application; the board approved a resolution permitting staff to move forward with the variance application.
Property pipeline and construction updates Board members received project updates on several properties: - 406 South Walnut Street: construction underway; contractor expected to finish major work within two to four weeks with final cleaning after that. - 823 Johnson Street: asbestos abatement complete; staff will issue an RFP for construction and bring contractor proposals to the board. - 450 Underwood and another new-construction site: foundations and footers in progress; Underwood expected to be higher-resale-value in its neighborhood. - Demo and acquisition work: 224 Westacre Street is demolished; other demo projects in process. Staff said some demo costs and unusual site conditions (collapsed cisterns, septic tank issues) required additional work and coordination with demo contractors on cost-sharing.
Potential donations and tax-delinquent properties Staff reported inquiries from owners offering to donate two multifamily, tax-delinquent properties (324 West Fourth and 416 West Third) but said both appear to be fire damaged or to have structural/foundation problems that would likely require demolition. The board asked staff to return with precise figures for unpaid taxes, liens, and estimated demolition costs before deciding whether to accept donation/acquisition offers.
Other actions and programs The board discussed and heard updates on the vacant rental program application (see separate action), the state Land Bank Initiative funding round, and the Land Bank’s contractor training pilot. Staff reported the contractor training pilot launched with 15 participants and will run for 9 weeks, with a graduation and contractor reception planned in week 10 to connect trainees to hiring contractors.
Votes at a glance - Approve July minutes: approved (voice vote). - Approve August financials: approved (voice vote). - Approve $148,000 change order for 325 Weber Place: approved (voice vote; details in separate article). - Approve sale price for 1839 Davis Street at $152,000 (±10% negotiable): approved (voice vote). - Authorize variance application for 201 East Miller Street: approved (voice vote). - Support Arbor’s vacant rental program and set aside up to $50,000: approved (voice vote). - Accept $100,000 operating award and authorize application to New York Land Bank Initiative: approved (voice vote).
Board members requested staff provide more specific cost estimates, contract paperwork (change orders), and documentation of unpaid taxes and liens where properties are offered for donation or sale. The board scheduled property walk-throughs and follow-up items for the next meeting.
