Land bank interns outline parcel review process as CRLBA prepares for acquisitions

Caden Vale, a community development intern, presented the Cherokee Regional Land Bank Authority's first-year operations and said he produced parcel-analysis templates and reviewed about 1,500 parcels this summer to identify tax‑delinquent, vacant or blighted properties potentially suitable for acquisition. "I've analyzed about 1,500 parcels this summer," Vale said, describing a multi-step process that moves feasible parcels from an Excel delinquent list into a parcel-analysis stage and then, if eligible, to site visits.

Vale explained the land bank's mission to return vacant and distressed properties to productive use for housing, commercial development or open space and emphasized that acquisitions would rely on auctions (if properties receive no bids) and voluntary donations rather than eminent domain. Board members asked whether the land bank had acquired properties yet; staff and Vale said not yet and noted the tax commissioner's courthouse sale list has been limited, so outreach and potential donations are likely to be an important source of parcels. The board requested forthcoming parcel reports and presentations at a future meeting.