Northumberland EDC to study whether county properties should be sold whole or split

Chair (Speaker 1) said the Board of Supervisors tasked the Economic Development Commission to study how county properties should be sold and to recommend whether parcels should be sold whole or split into smaller lots for sale.

The request followed a report at a recent supervisors meeting and a review by commissioners of properties potentially being considered for sale. Chair (Speaker 1) summarized the assignment: "The task that they gave us was to go and take a look at the properties ... to see if they should be sold in their entirety or split up." Commissioners discussed examples including the poorhouse tract and the pros and cons of selling a large parcel intact versus planning, subdividing and marketing smaller parcels.

Commissioner Maurice (Speaker 2) described work underway to develop an evaluation matrix with criteria for assessing best uses for different areas, saying the matrix would explain why a parcel would receive a 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' recommendation. Chair (Speaker 1) asked Maurice to post the matrix to the shared drive so commissioners could comment before the next EDC meeting.

The commission recorded a motion—referenced by Chair (Speaker 1) as made by "Mr. Brand"—that the Planning Commission and the EDC study whether properties should be sold entirely or split. Commissioners noted they lack in-house real-estate expertise and discussed seeking grant-funded planning assistance (including USDA funding) or consulting partners to develop subdivision plans and appraisals.

Next steps: Maurice (Speaker 2) will circulate the evaluation matrix for commissioner comment; the EDC will coordinate with the Planning Commission and consider grant opportunities to fund planning or subdivision work. No property sale decisions were made at the Aug. 19 meeting; the assignment is a study and recommendation back to the Board of Supervisors.