[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of
the City of Saco: Art. I, 11-18-1996. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Streets and sidewalks — See Ch. 186.
[Adopted 11-18-1996]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Includes land or buildings in which the City possesses the
fee interest, including any land or buildings which the City legally
acquires by foreclosure of tax or sewer liens.
[Amended 3-20-2023]
A.
Initiation. All requests for the City to consider
selling any City-owned property, whether initiated by any City official
or by a member of the general public, shall be submitted to the Economic
Development Director in writing and shall specify the parcel by reference
to its Tax Map and lot number. If from the general public, the application
shall include the name, postal address and telephone number of the
applicant and shall state the purpose for which the land is proposed
to be used (if the applicant is a prospective purchaser).
B.
Evaluation. The Economic Development Director shall
refer such requests to City staff and the Planning Board for evaluation
and a report to the City Council.
(1)
All City-owned property shall be evaluated with regard
to its present or potential usefulness to the City for streets, sewers
and drains, for public buildings, for economic development purposes,
for parks and natural areas or for other municipal and community uses.
Factors to be examined shall include land area, overall shape, minimum
dimensions, soil characteristics, slope, drainage, potential for flooding,
the presence of wetlands, its potential for correcting neighborhood
problems such as failing septic systems, road frontage, character
of surrounding properties, economic development possibility, whether
it is contiguous to other City land, future usefulness to the overall
traffic circulation needs of the City and other features, as well
as whether any easements should be retained across the property if
it is to be sold. Other factors to consider include annual property
tax generation, job creation, economic benefit, price, environmental
benefit or detriment, proposed land use, community need or neighborhood
benefits when awarding the sale.
(2)
The Economic Development Director shall seek written
comments on each parcel by the City Administrator, City Planner, Water
Resource Recovery Director, Code Enforcement Officer, Assessor, Finance
Director, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, City
Solicitor, the Conservation Commission, the Economic Development Commission,
and the Planning Board.
(3)
The Economic Development Director shall integrate
all of the comments submitted by the above-named City officials and
Commissions and shall prepare a written report to the Mayor and Council
with its own recommendations with regards to development opportunities
and the optimal method of sale.
(4)
The Council shall review the report and, at that point,
may decide to retain the property. If the Council decides to retain
a property, it may wish to consult with the City Attorney about title.
If the Council has an interest in selling a City-owned property, it
shall conduct a public hearing on the request to sell before any decision
is taken to sell City-owned property.
C.
Decision and offer for sale. If the Council decides
to offer any City-owned property for sale, after following the above
procedures the Council shall determine the method of sale with the
advice of the Economic Development Director. Methods of sale include
sealed bid, sealed request for proposals, auction, by negotiation
with the previous owner or by contract with a real estate broker at
predetermined prices for such real estate and real estate interests.
Regardless of the method of sale, notice shall be sent to all abutters.
[Amended 1-6-2003]
(1)
The Council may set any reasonable conditions on future
use of the land, through deed restrictions, to ensure that the property
will be used in the best interests of the City.
(2)
The City Council may also contribute City-owned property
for nonprofit community use or for economic development projects.
(3)
The
Economic Development Director will be responsible for managing the
sale of the property.
D.
Proceeds. Proceeds from the sale of tax-acquired properties
shall be applied to the balance of the unpaid taxes and sewer user
fees, interest and lien fees for the property. Any additional funds
received will be deposited into a dedicated special revenue fund entitled
"Proceeds from the Sale of City Property" to be expended for future
development projects or as directed by the Council.
