City Council approves Land Bank property dispositions as residents warn of conservatorship 'hustle'

Philadelphia City Council on April 3 adopted a resolution authorizing the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of six properties in the Fourth Councilmanic District, while several residents and advocates used public comment to press council to address what they called abuse of Act 135 conservatorships and gaps in community review procedures.

The resolution (No. 250277) was called up from the second reading and final passage calendar by Majority Leader Catherine Gilmore Richardson and moved for adoption on the floor by Councilman Curtis Jones Jr.; the motion carried and the resolution was adopted.

Council and public testimony placed the adopted disposition in a broader context: speakers said land-bank transfers and conservatorship petitions have been used in some cases to remove homeowners and transfer equity from long-term residents to outside entities. Several public commenters urged clearer residency rules for registered community organizations (RCOs) that participate in disposition decisions and asked council to stop what they called a “new hustle” of property seizure under Act 135 of Pennsylvania law.

Why it matters: Council’s land-bank dispositions are one tool used to reactivate vacant or tax-delinquent parcels, but community members and some council members said the current mix of city, state and private actors can produce outcomes that displace long-term residents and erode generational wealth. They urged state and city reforms to prevent misuse of conservatorships and to strengthen community oversight.

Details of the action and public concerns

The adopted resolution authorizes the Philadelphia Land Bank to dispose of 2942 and 2944 West Wishart Street, 303203 West Allegheny Avenue, 30212 North 30 Third Street and 3216 North Newkirk Street in the Fourth Councilmanic District in accordance with chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code. Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. moved adoption on the floor and the motion was seconded; the motion carried by voice vote and the resolution was adopted.

At the public-comment period preceding the vote, speakers tied specific land-bank items to larger complaints about property practices. Jeremy Blatstein, who said he supported moving land out of the land bank, called for clarity on RCO (registered community organization) leadership residency and conflicts of interest when RCO leaders are related to or employed by people involved in disposition decisions. Laura Coley and other members of Power Interfaith described rising rents, property-tax increases, and displacement pressures and urged council to protect long-term residents as the city disposes of publicly held parcels.

More pointed testimony described alleged misuse of Act 135 conservatorship petitions. Dawn Fassett and Ray Johnson recounted personal cases where their families’ homes were moved toward conservatorship or taken and described the process as abusive; several speakers and council members called the pattern “the new hustle” or “a hustle” and asked the city to pursue state legislative changes to close loopholes.

Council response and next steps

Council members acknowledged the public concerns and discussed next steps on both city and state fronts. Councilman Jeffrey J. Young and Councilman Curtis Jones said they have pursued hearings and draft legislation to amend state law, and said the city will pursue additional oversight to limit predatory use of conservatorships. Council Member Bass and others said cases exist where petitions cost taxpayers or public authorities significant sums even when petitions are later dismissed.

What was not decided

The resolution adopted only authorizes the specific Land Bank dispositions listed in the measure; speakers’ broader requests for state-level amendments to Act 135 and for changes to RCO residency or participation rules were not voted on at this meeting. Council members said they would pursue further committee hearings and state engagement but no binding new city ordinance or code change was adopted on those subjects at this session.

Clarifying details

- Properties named in the adopted resolution: 2942 & 2944 West Wishart St.; 303203 West Allegheny Ave.; 30212 N. 30th St.; 3216 N. Newkirk St. (addresses read on the floor as part of Resolution 250277). - Legal authority cited for the land-bank transfer: chapter 16-700 of the Philadelphia Code (as stated in the resolution title). - Vote method: voice vote; no roll-call tally printed on the floor record.

Ending

Council adopted the land-bank disposition resolution as part of a packed agenda that included numerous ceremonial resolutions. Public commenters and several council members asked for more aggressive action—both locally and at the state level—to prevent what they described as exploitative conservatorship and land-bank practices. Council members indicated follow-up hearings and possible state-level legislative outreach would follow.