Blighted Property Review Committee

MINUTES BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING JULY 17, 2019 The July 17, 2019, Blighted Property Review Committee Meeting was called to order by Chairperson, Cheryl Chiarello, at 4:02 p.m. in Council Chambers, Pottstown Borough Hall, 100 E. High Street, Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. All members of the Committee were present, with the exception of Jerry Nugent. Also present were Stephanie Drobins and Charlie Weller from the Licensing and Inspections Department, Judy Memberg, and Borough Solicitor, Chuck Garner. There were no members of the public present. A motion was made by Ryan Procsal, seconded by Brian Hydier to approve the June 19, 2019 Minutes. The motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS The Licensing and Inspections Department updated the Committee on the status of a number of properties and the Violation Notice Letters. It was reported that no letter had yet been provided to the owner of 520 Beech Street. According to Stephanie Drobins both 60 W. 5th Street and 900 N. Franklin had passed appropriate inspections, were occupied and therefore could be removed from the list. Recent developments on other properties included 659 Walnut Street, which now has a new owner and is under renovations. The Committee agreed to place on hold the property at 826 Queen Street, as it is possible that property will be demolished for purposes of a parking lot for an ongoing business. Charlie Weller advised that 357 Chestnut Street had just been sold to a new owner. The Licensing and Inspections Department confirmed that a Violation Notice Letter and service occurred in April with respect to the owner of 122 E. 3rd Street. A motion was made by Kevin Brown, seconded by Ryan Procsal, to certify the property as blighted. The motion carried unanimously. The Licensing and Inspections Department followed-up with sending a Violation Notice Letter to the owner of 674 Walnut Street. The Department was unable to effectuate service on the owner of 306 N. Evans Street. A motion was made by Ryan Procsal, seconded by Kevin Brown, to authorize constable service to serve the owner of 306 N. Evans Street. The motion carried unanimously. Charlie Weller reported that work was being performed on 383 Walnut Street. Service of the Notice of Violation Letter had been effectuated in April of 2019. Due to the pending progress, the Committee decided to take no action. The Committee then discussed the status of 653 Beech Street. Brian Hydier indicated he was the owner of the property and recused himself from discussion and abstained from any vote. It was reported that a Notice of Violation Letter was sent on April 11, 2019 and service was effectuated on April 16, 2019. With no changes to the condition of the property, Kevin Brown made a motion, seconded by Ryan Procsal, to certify the property as blighted. The motion carried 3-0 with Brian Hydier abstaining.  The Committee then discussed the status of 752 Spruce Street. It was still unclear to the Committee whether or not this property was vacant or occupied. Additional research and investigation will be undertaken. The Committee then discussed the status of properties that had been identified as blighted during the 2018 bus tour. It was reported that 19 S. Roland Street was now Code compliant and occupied. In addition, 645 Walnut Street was under renovation with a new owner and work was progressing. The Department of Licensing and Inspections will be sending a blight letter to the owner of 450 South Street. The L&I Department reported that the certified mail forwarded to 418 Cherry Street was unclaimed. A motion was made by Ryan Procsal, seconded by Brian Hydier, to authorize constable service to effectuate service on this property owner. The motion carried unanimously. The solicitor noted that the three properties resolved to be blighted at last month’s bus tour had not yet been discussed by the Planning Commission. No letters can be prepared to the property owners until the Planning Commission reviews and certifies the properties as blighted. The Department of Licensing and Inspection was asked to send a new Violation Notice Letter to 355 Walnut Street even though the property is already on the blighted list. NEW BUSINESS The Committee members discussed a number of properties that appeared to be blighted. One suggestion was 207 Potts Drive which appears to be a property destroyed by fire. Ryan Procsal also identified some properties in his neighborhood that might be considered blighted. It was agreed that a specific list of properties with addresses would be circulated for the Committee members to review. Judy Memberg reported that Genesis Housing had received a Montgomery County Grant for purposes of purchasing and renovating at least one other single-family home in the Borough. Judy also reported that the County was thinking of creating a demolition fund based upon a $5.00 additional charge for recording documents. The fund could then be utilized by municipalities to demolish blighted or problem properties. There was no public in attendance to provide any comment. Chairperson Chiarello suggested that the August meeting be cancelled. The Committee agreed that the next regular meeting would be held Wednesday, September 18, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. With no further business the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m.