Blighted Property Reclamation
Eminent Domain is a source of considerable controversy. Redevelopment Authorities are granted these considerable powers by the PA Urban Redevelopment Law of 1745 (URL). ERA has limited itself to taking of unoccupied properties declared "blighted" per the URL, as amended. A property must meet specific criteria for blight:
- Public nuisance, per the housing, building, fire and related codes.
- Attractive nuisances to children (e.g. abandoned wells, shafts, unsafe structures).
- Building dilapidated and declared unfit for human habitation.
- Structures which are a fire hazard.
- Vacant and unimproved land in a predominantly built-up neighborhood that is a place of trash
accumulation, or a house for rodents or vermin.- Unoccupied properties tax delinquent for two years.
- Vacant homes not rehabilitated within one year of notice by code enforcement.
- Abandoned property.
- Properties with unaddressed environmental construction posing threat to public health.
- Properties with title defects preventing sale or transfer of the property
Pennsylvania recognizes the importance of addressing vacant and blighted properties in cities like Erie. Recent legislation in Pennsylvania has curtailed eminent domain for economic development purposes. However, that same legislation enhances powers of redevelopment authorities to take blighted properties formally and legally declared blighted.
The City of Erie formed the Blighted Property Review Committee ("BPRC") in 1994, in accordance with the PA Urban Redevelopment Law. This committee is the first body to consider if a property meets the criteria for blight. Vacant, blighted properties are ultimately acquired by ERA and redeveloped or sold through our property disposition process.
More Information:
Blight Property Process Flow Chart
Erie BPRC Bylaws
Members of the Erie BPRC
Erie BPRC meeting schedule for 2007
Erie BPRC meeting minutes
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