Xenia moves to retain three properties for home-preservation sales, authorizes marketing of five forfeited lots

XENIA, Ohio — On Feb. 27 the Xenia City Council introduced an amendment to retain three city-owned properties for sale through an amended home-preservation program, authorized marketing and negotiated sale efforts for five other city-owned forfeited properties, and approved the sale of a small parcel to an abutting owner.

Chief Stutes explained staff’s recommendation to amend Ordinance 2023-332 to retain city ownership of three of five properties previously authorized for transfer to the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation (CIC). Staff said two of the five properties had already been transferred to the CIC and were in the process of sale, while three properties — 422 South Detroit Street, 960 Catherine Street (two parcels), and 469 Chestnut Street — had not received qualifying offers. Staff recommended retaining those three so they can be sold under the amended home-preservation program once staff completes the updated process; the ordinance was introduced by Councilwoman Sarris.

Separately, staff asked council to declare five city-owned properties not needed for municipal purposes so the city manager could market and negotiate sales. Chief Stutes said those forfeited properties were: 105 Jackson Street; 4706 East Second Street; 5306 East Second Street; 6506 East Second Street; and 475 East Church Street. Staff said the properties were acquired through tax foreclosure and forfeiture after they did not sell through the tax-foreclosure auction; they are mostly vacant lots with delinquent assessments that exceed market value in many cases. Council authorized staff to market and seek negotiated or informal competitive sales, and any final transaction must return to council for approval.

Council also approved a separate amendment to authorize sale of Parcel 32A in the Northgate Estates subdivision to the abutting property owners of 1911 Harris Lane, identified in the meeting record as Caleb and Tiffany; the transcript contains inconsistent surname spellings for the buyers. Staff said the parcel had been offered previously and the abutting owner who declined then is no longer in that position; staff recommended selling Parcel 32A to the current abutting owners for $1,300.

Why it matters: The actions move multiple vacant or tax-forfeited properties back toward private productive use and retain several properties so they can be sold under the city's revised home-preservation program. Staff emphasized that any final sale requires council approval.

Council approved the marketing authorization and the parcel sale by roll call vote.