Council hears first reading of ordinance to allow brokered sales of city property amid public concerns

Lancaster City Council on April 8 held a first reading of Administration Bill No. 3, which would amend Chapter 32 of the city code to allow the sale of municipal real property by licensed real estate brokers under specified conditions while preserving council oversight.

Why it matters: The ordinance would add a new method for disposing of rare city-owned parcels. Public commenters and some council members raised concerns that brokered sales could reduce public involvement and asked for safeguards to protect affordability and community uses, citing Station 6 as a site of ongoing local interest.

Council presentation and scope: Councilor Craig introduced the ordinance as an "enabling" change that adds an administrative option for disposition while preserving council’s authority to approve each sale by resolution. Mayor Suraci reiterated that any sale would still come to council and could be accompanied by deed restrictions or other terms safeguarding desired outcomes such as long-term affordability. "On a case by case basis, we would still be able to make those decisions for each possible property," the mayor said.

Public concerns: Multiple residents asked for stronger procedural safeguards before the city expands disposal methods. Darlene Byrd asked whether council had contacted nonprofit housing developers about Station 6 and urged delaying any change until the administration code and administrative processes are finalized. "We're getting ready to have change of the guards... Something that would affect the whole city," Byrd said, noting concerns about losing public land to private buyers.

Other public speakers included Richard Boas, who recommended the city consult the Lancaster County Association of Realtors; Brian Nelson and Erin Dautrick, who emphasized the city’s housing affordability shortage and urged prioritizing public-purpose uses over transactional speed; and Councilor Cleese, who asked how sale proceeds would be spent. Mayor Suraci and Councilor Craig said the disposition method does not change the fact that council will approve the use of proceeds on a case-by-case basis.

Status and next steps: The ordinance was presented for a first reading only; no final council vote was taken. Council members and speakers noted that any specific property sale would still be presented to council as a separate resolution that could include conditions, deed restrictions and public-engagement steps. Councilor Craig indicated that nonprofit housing developers were approached about Station 6 and that the administration seeks a housing use when feasible.

Ending: If council advances the ordinance after a second reading, the change would provide an additional disposal method. Several public commenters said the city should adopt explicit engagement and affordability requirements if it expands the methods by which public land can be sold.