APA OH Cleveland Planning and Zoning Workshop Westlake, Ohio October 24, 2014
ITEMS COVERED About Twinsburg Township About Twinsburg Heights Neighborhood Neighborhoods Strengths/Opportunities Neighborhood Weaknesses/Threats Accomplishments through 2010 Accomplishments since 2010 More Aggressive Code Enforcement Land Bank Options Land Reutilization Program ( Land Bank Lite ) Review of Foreclosure Process by Regina Van Vorous Twinsburg Township Land Reutilization Program
About Twinsburg Township Small (just under 3,000 population as of 2010) Surrounded by 4 cities and 1 village Eaten up by annexation prior to 2000 Rural, suburban, and quasi-urban residential Little commercial Very healthy industrial (with JEDD) Growing and fiscally sound
About Twinsburg Heights Neighborhood Subdivision platted in 1920s Just under 800 lots, 40 F wide by 115 F deep Grid pattern of streets No Township zoning until 1950s No water or sewer until 1970s Mix of housing age, condition, and value Met LMI criteria thru 2000
Neighborhood Strengths/Opportunities Many long-term residents Several multi-generational families Strong African American cultural heritage Seven churches in one neighborhood Neighborhood community center (closed 2010) Recent new construction and rehabilitations
Neighborhood Weaknesses/Threats Poor drainage, causing intermittent flooding Poor and narrow roads with deep ditches Absentee owners of buildings and land Unmaintained, abandoned, and vacant houses Absence of positive things for youth to do Crime and safety concerns
Accomplishments through 2010 Water District formed in 1960s Water and sewer lines installed in 1970s Drainage study 2001-2002 Road reconstruction underway beginning in 2003 Boardings, condemnations, and demolitions Noxious weed abatement on unmowed properties
Accomplishments since 2010 Demolition of community center in 2010 Road reconstruction continues (halfway done) Habitat for Humanity (6 done; 3 more planned) More aggressive code enforcement Township Land Reutilization Program in 2010 County Land Bank in 2012 State Moving Ohio Forward Program in 2013
Land Bank Lite:
More Aggressive Code Enforcement Noxious Weed Abatement Securing Vacant/Abandoned Buildings Scheduling regular health/building inspections Seeking/getting condemnations Coordination with Sheriff on all efforts Daily patrols for junk vehicles and other problems Combination of efforts and techniques
Land Bank Lite:
Land Bank Options ORC 1724 ( land reutilization corporation or land bank ) only available to counties w/ 60,000+ ORC 5722 ( land bank lite ) available to any city, village, township or county ORC 1724 land bank can do more and does it more quickly ORC 5722 land bank lite can do less and does it more slowly but offers direct local control
Land Reutilization Program ( Land Bank Lite ) Resolution adopted by electing subdivision Seek to put nonproductive land to productive use Must be delinquent (county identifies for you) Must be vacant (you identify by inspection) Select parcels for acquisition Work with County Prosecutor, Fiscal Officer (Auditor and Treasurer), and Sheriff
Land Reutilization Program ( Land Bank Lite ) Prosecutor initiates delinquent tax foreclosure case on behalf of electing subdivision Wait several months Sheriff offers for sale for delinquent taxes Wait several more months Fiscal Officer transfers parcel to electing subdivision Then what?
and now for Regina
Township Land Reutilization Program Resolution adopted in 2010 First parcels selected in 2012 First Sheriff s sale in late 2013 First parcels transferred in early 2014 Policies adopted in 2014 (use, cost, disposition) 80+/- parcels in inventory to date
Township Land Reutilization Program About 1/3 of delinquent tax foreclosure cases do not make it to Sheriff s sale due to Bankruptcies Mortgage foreclosures Tax certificate foreclosures Owners finally pay taxes Patience is key to success Look at it as long term investment
Township Land Reutilization Program Additional parcels acquired via Donation from County, nonprofits, and private owners Trade with adjacent property owners Fee simple purchase Much learned about Title issues Family relationships Neighborhood history
Priority Future Uses Side lots for non-delinquent, non-foreclosed owner occupied homes Buildable lots for owner-occupied homes Public and quasi-public uses Holding for later assembly into one of the above Unacceptable Future Uses Side lots for rental homes Buildable lots for new rental homes Speculation by private parties
Sale Conditions and Restrictions Cost Recovery Side Lot Consolidation Buildable Lot Construction Maintenance Owner-Occupied Delinquency Reversion
Disposition Procedures Part A: Offer to eligible adjacent owners Non-delinquent, non-foreclosed, owner-occupied Time period for acceptance of offer to sell at cost If no accepted offers, move to Part B Part B: Offer for new construction Buildable lot Time period for solicitation of offers to purchase at costs If no accepted offers, repeat Part A or hold per Part C Part C: If unbuildable or no sale, hold for assembly
Lessons Learned Be patient Be persistent Be creative Be willing to expect the unexpected Be willing to adapt to change Take a long term perspective
QUESTIONS? Robert S. Kagler, AICP, Associate AIA, Township Manager, Twinsburg Township, Summit County, Ohio October 24, 2014