Caribou council revives land bank idea; rental‑registry and vacancy rules discussed

Dan, the City Council liaison to the Planning Board, told board members that the city council has renewed interest in establishing a land bank and updating Chapter 19 of the municipal code on disposal of foreclosed properties.

Dan said the council proposes coordinating the land bank with new ordinances that would establish rental‑property registries and registration for unoccupied commercial or residential buildings. Revenues from licensing and graduated fees would be intended to cover land bank operations and targeted rehabilitation, though those fees would be waivable at the discretion of code enforcement or the board when owners were making an earnest effort to return property to service.

The board discussed models from other Maine municipalities. Dan recommended the Sanford land‑bank model as a starting point and noted that Maine now has a state land‑bank office with staff and some funding. He listed other Maine communities with land banks and said there are more than 300 land banks nationwide.

Board members pressed for safeguards to avoid penalizing property owners who are attempting to rent or rehabilitate properties. One participant cited Portland's approach to vacant storefront fees as an example the board did not want to replicate. Dan said any registry or fee structure should include discretion for staff and the board to avoid unfair penalties.

Members also raised a possible tax incentive issue: one board member said the city may offer tax reductions for nonoperational commercial properties and that the board should check whether current tax policy encourages vacancy; the transcript indicates this point requires follow‑up and verification.

Dan said the land‑bank discussion will require close coordination between the council and the Planning Board as the ordinances are drafted. He offered to provide the board with briefing materials and examples.