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Council amends property‑sale rules to allow licensed brokers; residents warn of reduced local oversight
Summary
Lancaster City Council adopted an ordinance changing the methods the city may use to sell real property, adding the option to solicit offers through a licensed real estate broker. The change passed after public criticism about transparency, oversight and potential impacts on specific properties such as Fire Station 6 and the Beaver Street site.
Lancaster City Council voted May 13 to amend Chapter 32 of the city code to add a process allowing the sale of real property through a licensed real estate broker under conditions set by council.
The ordinance (administration bill number 3, 2025) expands the city's existing sale methods (sealed bids or public auction) to permit council, by separate resolution, to authorize a licensed real estate broker to market specified parcels. Council would continue to approve terms of sale, including price, conditions of evaluation, authorization to negotiate or accept an offer, broker compensation and a defined solicitation timeframe. The mayor and staff emphasized that council retains final approval authority for any sale.
Supporters said the change simply adds flexibility and could make occasional asset disposition more efficient.…
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