Blighted Property Review Committee

MINUTES BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING JUNE 19 , 2019 The June 19, 2019, Blighted Property Review Committee Meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Cheryl Chiarello, at 4:03 p.m. in front of Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 E. High Street, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In addition to the Chairperson, Members Ryan Procsal and Kevin Brown were present. Also in attendance was Stephanie Drobins and Charlie Weller from the Licensing and Inspections Department, Borough Solicitor, Chuck Garner, and Land Bank Board Member, Deb Penrod. Because the Committee had scheduled a bus tour as its meeting, the bus departed Borough Hall at 4:04 p.m. to inspect certain properties from a list that had been compiled by the Department of Licensing and Inspections. Prior to the first stop, Ryan Procsal made a motion, seconded by Kevin Brown, to approve the Meeting Minutes from March 20, 2019. The motion carried unanimously. The bus initially traveled to 8 Chestnut Street. From a visual inspection of the exterior of the property, it was clear that the property was occupied. Subsequently, an individual appeared from the property and indicated she was the owner of the property. The bus then traveled to 45 W. Second Street. Although the property was not occupied, there was work in progress on what appeared to be a single-family dwelling. The Committee was satisfied that upgrades were being undertaken. The next stop for the bus was 53 W. Third Street and the Committee noted that the property was occupied. The next destination was 310 N. York Street. The property had clear Code violations which included peeling paint, rotten window frames, high grass and weeds and a rotten deteriorating porch floor. A motion was made by Ryan Procsal, seconded by Kevin Brown, to enact a Resolution declaring the property to be blighted and request the Department of Licensing and Inspections to notify the property owner to remedy the blighted conditions. The motion carried unanimously. The bus then traveled to 784 Farmington Avenue. This property appeared to be a single-family dwelling with high grass, weeds, and bushes, peeling paint and broken rainspouts. Kevin Brown made a motion, seconded by Ryan Procsal, to enact a Resolution declaring the property to be blighted and request the Department of Licensing and Inspections to notify the property owner to remedy the blighted conditions. The motion carried unanimously. The next two destinations were 203 East Street and 350 Lincoln Avenue. Upon inspection from the exterior, it appeared that both properties were occupied. The bus next stopped at 130 N. Charlotte Street. The property was vacant but did not necessarily have significant overt Code violations. Following discussion with the Committee, it was decided no action would be taken but the property would be under observation for the next few months. The next stop for the bus tour was 120 N. Evans Street which was occupied. The final stop on the tour was 566 High Street. The property appeared to be used as some type of office previously. There was plywood on a few of the windows, there were some missing windows and overgrown weeds in the rear of the property. Ryan Procsal made a motion, seconded by Kevin Brown, to enact a resolution declaring the property to be blighted and request the Department of Licensing and Inspections to notify the property owner to remedy the blighted conditions. The motion carried unanimously. The bus then returned to Borough Hall. Ryan Procsal made a motion, seconded by Kevin Brown, to authorize the Department of Licensing and Inspections to send a follow-up letter to the owners of 355 Walnut Street. Although the property already has been determined to be blighted, the Committee wished to follow-up with a letter in the interim. Chairperson Chiarello noted that there would be a July Committee meeting. Following discussion and with no further business, Chairperson Chiarello adjourned the meeting at 5:08 p.m.