Residents press RDA on blight properties; staff says Blight program is paused pending review

A resident urged the York City Redevelopment Authority to address neighborhood blight at the Feb. 11 meeting, and staff said administrative review is underway.

Jane Stammall introduced herself and said properties at 225 and 227 North Pine Street — and 21 Columbia Avenue — have been in "deplorable condition for years" and are lowering nearby property values. "They have been in deplorable condition for years and years and years. They're lowering the values in the rest of the properties in the neighborhood," Stammall said.

Staff member David Tavares responded that the properties had been submitted to the city’s Blight program. He explained the program is temporarily paused while staff assesses where each property stands in the blight process and determines next steps for properties already in process.

Stammall asked for clearer timelines and remedies; staff asked for contact information so they could follow up, and said they will document each property's status and return with a plan. The transcript indicates the Blight program pause is administrative and part of an internal review rather than a change in policy.

Also in public comment, Tom Kelch Jerome identified himself as president and CEO of a local biotech company exploring relocation to York’s center city; he said he is "exploring different areas" but offered no firm site or timeline.

The board noted the comments and asked staff to follow up with the resident and to report on property status at a future meeting.