Blighted Property Review Committee

MINUTES BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 19 , 2018 The September 19, 2018, Blighted Property Review Committee Meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Person, Cheryl Chiarello, at 4:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 E. High Street, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. All members of the Committee were present. In addition, also present was Stephanie Drobins from the Licensing and Inspections Department, and Borough solicitor, Chuck Garner. A motion was made by Ryan Procsal, seconded by Jerry Nugent, to approve the June 20, 2018, Meeting Minutes. The motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS Stephanie Drobins advised the Committee that several properties had become Code compliant and were occupied so as to remove these properties from the review list. These properties included 57 Chestnut Street, 57 W. Third Street, and 652 Spruce Street. The Committee was pleased that the properties had been upgraded and no longer considered to be blighted. The Committee inquired as to the status of a number of properties that had been under review. Those properties included the following: - 520 Beech Street - 122 E. Third Street - 60 W. Fifth Street - 659 Walnut Street - 383 Walnut Street - 900 Franklin Street - 826 Queen Street - 357 Chestnut Street In all cases, Notice of Violation letters need to be prepared and sent by the Department. Hopefully, such letters will be forwarded prior to the Committee’s next meeting. The Committee then discussed the status of certain properties that had been in front of the Planning Commission for blight resolution. It appears that the Planning Commission will undertake review of the following properties at an upcoming meeting. Those properties include: - 418 Cherry Street - 450 South Street - 19 S. Roland Street - 645 Walnut Street In addition, there is still some question as to whether or not 752 Spruce Street is occupied or not. Until this is determined, neither the Planning Commission nor Blighted Property Review Committee can take action in the form of a resolution declaring the property blighted. NEW BUSINESS Deb Penrod suggested that the Committee review and inspect 566 High Street. The Committee indicated it would review the property prior to the next meeting. Cheryl Chiarello then suggested the Committee review 350 Lincoln Avenue. Stephanie Drobins responded that the Licensing and Inspections was aware of this property and it was most likely flea infested. A brief update was given concerning the status of the Land Bank Board. Deb and Cheryl both reported that the Land Bank Board meets the 4th Monday of each month at 4:00 p.m. There was no public comment. The Committee determined that it would meet at its regular scheduled meeting time at 4:00 p.m. on October 17th. With no further business, Vice Chair Person Chiarello adjourned the meeting at 4:52 p.m.