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Erie Land Bank approves sales of multiple side lots; board favors higher bids and merging parcels
Summary
The board approved several side-lot sales and set terms to merge purchased lots with buyers' parcels. Key sales included 427 Liberty ($1,600), 519–521 E. 20th ($500), 102 E. 20th ($1,000) and 715 W. Fourth ($2,500). Board discussion emphasized zoning, stormwater and combining parcels at closing to prevent future tax-sale recycling.
The Erie Land Bank on April 15 approved multiple sales of vacant side lots, awarding the parcels to the highest acceptable bids and directing staff to combine sold side lots with purchasers’ parcels at closing.
Votes at a glance
- 427 Liberty: Accepted bid of $1,600 from the bidder identified as Heights and Rider; motion approved by voice vote. - 519–521 East 20th Street: Accepted bid of $500; intended to merge with a commercial parcel to the east. - 623 East Eleventh Street: Approved (single proposal) for expansion of the purchaser’s property and garden (motion approved by voice vote). - 102 East 20th Street: Accepted bid of $1,000 from Mr. Sharma for use as side yard, garden, parking or children’s play area; combined at closing. - 715 West Fourth Street: Accepted bid of $2,500 from John Reitinger; competing bid from Jose Luis Rodriguez ($500) was rejected.
Board members repeatedly emphasized that purchasers must seek any required zoning approvals, obtain curb cuts and meet property maintenance and stormwater requirements if they intend to create off-street parking. Staff noted the land bank’s standard closing procedure merges the side lot into the buyer’s parcel so the lot will not return to tax sale as a standalone parcel.
Several board members and a nonvoting participant, Patrick Groener Jr., urged that, when feasible, owners work together to subdivide parcels so multiple neighbors benefit. Staff said past attempts to require or fund subdivision stalled when adjacent owners would not share survey and subdivision costs.
Board members also discussed that creating parking for multiple cars can trigger requirements for a solid surface and stormwater management, which could markedly increase costs for buyers who plan to use lots for parking. One board member suggested providing a simple “toolkit” outlining expected zoning, stormwater and paving costs before closing.
The motions to accept the sales were made and seconded during the meeting; each motion carried by voice vote with “Aye” recorded for approval. Several lots sold with single proposals were approved without competitive bid contests; in other cases the board selected the higher monetary offer among competing proposals.
