The purpose and intent of this chapter is to establish a Vacant
Property Review Board to investigate and examine vacant and derelict
properties within the Township of Abington to determine if said properties
should be certified as blighted properties as set forth in the Urban
Redevelopment Law of 1945, as amended, 35 P.S. § 1701 et
seq.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AUTHORITY OR REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Montgomery,
a public body corporate and politic created and organized in accordance
with the provisions of the Urban Redevelopment Law.
BLIGHTED PROPERTY
Any of the following:
A.
Any premises which because of physical condition or use is regarded
as a public nuisance at common law or has been declared a public nuisance
in accordance with state or local housing, building, plumbing, fire
and related codes.
B.
Any premises which because of physical condition, use or occupancy
is considered an attractive nuisance to children, including, but not
limited to, abandoned wells, shafts, basements, excavations, and unsafe
fences or structures.
C.
Any dwelling which, because it is dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe,
vermin-infested or lacking in the facilities or equipment required
by any applicable housing or building code, has been designated by
the department responsible for enforcement of the Code as unfit for
human habitation.
D.
Any structure which is a fire hazard, or is otherwise dangerous
to the safety of persons or property.
E.
Any structure from which the utilities, plumbing, heating, sewage,
or other facilities have been disconnected, destroyed, removed or
rendered ineffective so that the property is unfit for its intended
use.
F.
Any vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground in a predominantly
built up neighborhood, which by reason of neglect or lack of maintenance
has become a place for accumulation of trash and debris, or a haven
for rodents or other vermin.
G.
Any unoccupied property which has been tax delinquent for a
period of at least two years.
H.
Any property which is vacant but not tax delinquent, which has
not been rehabilitated within one year of the receipt of notice to
rehabilitate from the appropriate code enforcement agency.
I.
Any abandoned property. A property shall be considered abandoned
if:
(1)
It is a vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground on which
a municipal lien for the cost of demolition of any structure located
on the property remains unpaid for a period of six months;
(2)
It is a vacant property or vacant or unimproved lot or parcel
of ground on which the total of municipal liens on the property for
tax or any other type of claim of the municipality are in excess of
150% of the fair market value of the property as established by the
Board of Revisions of Taxes or other body with legal authority to
determine the taxable value of the property; or
(3)
The property has been declared abandoned by the owner, including
an estate that is in possession of the property.
COUNTY
The County of Montgomery.
REDEVELOPMENT AREA
Any area, whether improved or unimproved, which the Township
or County Planning Commission or the Vacant Property Review Board
created herein may find to be blighted because of the existence of
the conditions enumerated herein, so as to require redevelopment under
the provisions of the Urban Redevelopment Law.
REDEVELOPMENT CONTRACT
A contract between the Authority and the redeveloper for
the redevelopment of an area under the provisions of the Urban Redevelopment
Law, as amended.
RESIDENTIAL AND RELATED USE
Residential property for sale or rental and related uses,
including, but not limited to, park and recreation areas, neighborhood
community service, and neighborhood parking lots.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
VPRB
Vacant Property Review Board.