[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township
of Gloucester as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
[Adopted 10-12-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-13]
This article shall be known and cited as "Neighborhood Rehabilitation
Program," pursuant to the New Jersey Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation
Act.
The purpose of this article is to administer the rehabilitation
of vacant and abandoned properties pursuant to the New Jersey Abandoned
Properties Rehabilitation Act (N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq.).
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any person designated by the municipality to carry out the plans,
purpose and directives of this article. The appointment and designation
of the public officer shall be made by the Mayor of the Township of
Gloucester, which appointment and designation shall be made annually
at the reorganization meeting of the government of the Township of
Gloucester.
For the purpose of initial appointment of the public officer
following the adoption of this article and through the year 2017,
the Mayor of the Township of Gloucester designates the Township Business
Administrator as the Township's public officer to carry out the plans,
purpose and directives of this article.
The municipality may administer this article directly or it
may designate a qualified rehabilitation entity to act as its designee
for the purpose of exercising its rights, where that designation will
further the rehabilitation and reuse of property consistent with the
municipal plan and objectives. The appointment and designation of
the qualified rehabilitation entity shall be made by the Mayor of
the Township of Gloucester, which appointment and designation shall
be made annually at the reorganization meeting of the government of
the Township of Gloucester.
For the purpose of initial appointment of a qualified rehabilitation
entity following the adoption of this article and through the year
2017, the Mayor of the Township of Gloucester designates the Gloucester
Township Housing Authority as the qualified rehabilitation entity,
to provide for affordable housing and the utilization of Gloucester
Township Affordable Housing Trust fund dollars (COAH) as part of the
Township's neighborhood rehabilitation program.
The Township shall appropriate sufficient funds through the
use of Gloucester Township Affordable Housing Trust Fund dollars (COAH)
in such amounts determined sufficient to implement to program, which
amount may be amended from time to time.
The Township of Gloucester, County of Camden, State of New
Jersey.
The Township of Gloucester hereby adopts the New Jersey Abandoned
Properties Rehabilitation Act, N.J.S.A. 55:19-78 et seq.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 55:19-81, any property that has not been
legally occupied for a period of six months and which meets any one
of the following criteria may be deemed to be abandoned property upon
a determination by the designated public officer appointed by the
Mayor of the Township of Gloucester that:
A.
The property is in need of rehabilitation in the reasonable judgment
of the public officer, and/or rehabilitation has taken place during
that six-month period;
B.
Construction was initiated on the property and was discontinued prior
to completion, leaving the building unsuitable for occupancy, and
no construction has taken place for at least six months as of the
date of a determination by the public officer pursuant to this section;
C.
At least one installment of property tax remains unpaid and delinquent
on that property as of the date of the determination by the public
officer pursuant to this section; or
D.
The property has been determined to be a nuisance by the public officer
in accordance with N.J.S.A. 55:19-82.
The public officer is directed to identify abandoned properties
within the Township, place said properties on an abandoned property
list to be established by the public officer, and provide notices
and carry out such other tasks as are required to effectuate an abandoned
property list as provided by law. The public officer may add properties
to the list at any time.
Once a property is determined to be abandoned, a summary action
by the Township may be filed in the Superior Court, County of Camden,
to transfer possession and control of said abandoned property in need
of rehabilitation to the Township. Once authorized by the Court, the
Township may take possession and control of said property and develop
a rehabilitation plan.
