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Lansdale council tables vacant-property registration ordinance after public pushback
Summary
Lansdale Borough Council voted to table Ordinance 1982, a proposed vacant-property and foreclosing-mortgage registration requirement, after multiple residents and business owners raised concerns about unintended consequences, enforcement language and property-owner burdens.
Lansdale Borough Council on Wednesday voted to table Ordinance 1982, a proposed chapter to register foreclosing mortgages and vacant property, after extended public comment and council discussion highlighted concerns about enforcement language and effects on local landlords and businesses.
Supporters of reviewing vacancy and foreclosure issues say the goal is to address blighted storefronts and neighborhood decline; critics argued the draft ordinance, including rules about covered windows and registration, would create burdens and discourage investment.
Richard Strom, owner and principal broker of American Forester Realty, told the council the draft ordinance appeared to be “cut and paste legislation” from other municipalities and not tailored to Lansdale. “If you’re doing this to protect the declining value of our real estate, guess what, people? It’s not declining,” Strom said, citing borough median sales prices and low foreclosure counts. “Please…
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