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Planners discuss vacant-property definitions as county considers faster tax-foreclosure path
Summary
Commissioners discussed council support for a county-level acceleration of tax-foreclosure timelines for properties certified as abandoned, and asked staff to research Oakland County's abandonment definition before making local changes.
The planning commission discussed a council resolution that would allow Oakland County to accelerate certain tax-foreclosure timelines (from three years to two) for properties that are formally certified as abandoned. David, the council liaison, summarized the council context and told commissioners that council would retain the authority to certify abandonment under the proposed county process.
Why it matters: Commissioners noted that Franklin contains a mix of maintained vacant houses, inherited properties that are maintained and truly abandoned lots. They stressed that any local policy should distinguish between a house temporarily vacant and one that is abandoned, and that county criteria (tax status, maintenance, public-safety hazard) will govern eligibility for acceleration.
Staff follow-up requested: David and others asked Chris and staff to review Oakland County's baseline definition of "abandoned" and to identify how many Franklin properties are currently vacant, in tax foreclosure or have outstanding tax delinquencies. Commissioners emphasized notice and opportunity for property owners to make their case before any certification is finalized.
Outcome: No ordinance change was made; commissioners asked staff to bring clarifying information to a future meeting to support council-level decisions.
