This chapter relates to land banks.
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to create the Harrisburg
Land Bank, which will use available resources to facilitate the return
of vacant, blighted, abandoned and tax-delinquent properties to productive
use, thereby combating community deterioration, creating economic
growth and stabilizing the housing and job market.
This chapter is adopted in accordance with the provisions of
Act 153 of 2012, P.L. 1239, an enactment of the Pennsylvania General
Assembly signed into law by the Governor on October 24, 2012, and
codified at 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 2101 et seq.
The Harrisburg Land Bank shall possess all powers and duties
permitted to it under state law, except where expressly limited in
this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BOARD
The Board of Directors of the Harrisburg Land Bank.
CITY
The City of Harrisburg.
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Community and Economic Development of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The date upon which this ordinance, after final passage by
the Council of the City of Harrisburg and signature by the Mayor of
the City of Harrisburg, is effective.
LAND BANK ACT
Pennsylvania Act 153-2012, 68 Pa.C.S.A. § 2101
et seq., as it exists on the effective date, and as it may be hereafter
amended or replaced.
LAND BANK JURISDICTION
As defined in the Land Bank Act, a county, a city, a borough,
a township and an incorporated town with a population of more than
10,000; or two or more municipalities with populations less than 10,000
that enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement to establish
and maintain a land bank.
MEMBERS OF THE LAND BANK
The City, and after the formation of the Harrisburg Land
Bank, any land bank jurisdiction or municipality that combines with
the Harrisburg Land Bank, and any taxing jurisdiction that participates
with the Harrisburg Land Bank for the purpose of discharge of liens
and claims provided in Section 2117(a) of the Land Bank Act.
OWNER-OCCUPANT
As defined in the Land Bank Act, a natural person with a
legal or equitable ownership interest in property which was the primary
residence of the person for at least three consecutive months at any
point in the year preceding the date of initial delinquency.
PERSON
An individual, authority, limited-liability company, partnership,
firm, corporation, organization, association, joint venture, trust,
governmental entity or other legal entity.
REAL PROPERTY
As defined in the Land Bank Act, land and all structures
and fixtures thereon and all estates and interests in land, including
easements, covenants and leaseholders.
SCHOOL DISTRICT
As defined in the Land Bank Act, any of the classifications
of school districts specified in Section 202 of the Act of March 10,
1949 (P.L. 30, No. 14), known as the "Public School Code of 1949."
The term includes, as to any real property acquired, owned or conveyed
by a land bank, the school district within whose geographical jurisdiction
the real property is located.
STATE
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
TAXING JURISDICTION
As anticipated in Section 2117(e.1) of the Land Bank Act,
a county, city, borough, incorporated town, township, school district,
or a body politic and corporate created as a municipal authority pursuant
to law that may have claims against property that is subject to delinquent
tax enforcement procedures.