Linda Kelleher from the City of Reading's Presentation at New Tools in the Blight Fight Summit in Pittsburgh on March 8, 2012.

1. City of Reading, PA
Reinventing the
BPRC Process
Linda A. Kelleher CMC
City Clerk

2. BPRC
 Enacted by the City of Reading Council in
2006
 Composed of representatives from City
Council, the Planning Commission, the
Redevelopment Authority, and at large
citizens
 First hearing in 2009, after training
sessions with BPRCs in Allentown and
Harrisburg

3. What is a
Blighted Property?
 Any property that is regarded or declared a
“public nuisance” and unfit for human
habitation, or
 Any property without functioning utilities, or
 Any unoccupied property that is tax
delinquent for a 2 year period, or
 Any property receiving a notice to rehabilitate
and failing to take corrective action within 12
months, or
 Any property meeting the statutory definition
of “abandoned”

4. Definition of Abandoned
 Has a municipal lien for the cost of demo
that remains unpaid for a period of 6
months.
 Has a total of municipal liens (for tax or
municipal claim) on the property in excess
of 150% of Fair Market Value
 Has been declared abandoned by the
owner, including, an estate that is in
possession of the property.

5. What does blight look like?

6. Blight doesn’t have to be ugly

7. A Look at Reading
 34,208 Households in Reading as per
2010 census
 In 2008 1,479 vacant properties identified
 In 2012 approx ¼ of all City properties
meet at least 1 blighted criteria due to
the increase in foreclosures and the
sluggish economy

8. Why use the BPRC?
 Do you have property owners who refuse to
comply with your municipal codes?
 Do you have property owners who refuse to
pay their municipal bills on time?
 Do you have minimal success enforcing your
codes through MDJ and Court Hearings?
End the Game

9. Eliminating blight
through demo

10. And Rehab/Re-use

11. The Beauty of BPRC
 No appeal before the MDJs!
 Encourages owners to pay delinquencies
and rehab their properties!
 Requests for continuations are rejected!
 Gets people’s attention faster than any
citation!!!!

12. Start with a Warning
 This letter is to advise you that the City of Reading
Blighted Property Review Committee is considering
adding your property at 121 North 3rd Street, which
meets at least one of the blight criteria under the State
statute, to their Target List. A property qualifies as
blighted under the statute if it has codes violations,
lacks utility service, is vacant, is tax delinquent, etc.

13. BPRC Process Forms
Blighted Property Review Committee
Determination Hearing
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX at 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
815 Washington Street
In the matter of:
«Addr1»
«Owner1» «Owner2», owner(s)
The above-listed property was found to be vacant, as per Codified Ordinances
Chapter 1, Section 1-544 (6). This property has been identified as non-compliant
with the City’s Property Maintenance Code Section 3 General Requirements, such
as trash accumulation, unsecured building, uncut grass/weeds, vermin etc. It
has also been determined to meet one or more of the conditions of blight
identified in the City of Reading Codified Ordinance Chapter 1, Section 1-544 as
specified in the enclosed violation notice, which was also posted upon the
subject property on April 13, 2011. This provides the property owner with notice
to abate the specific conditions identified therein.
As per Codified Ordinance Chapter 1, Section 1-545, if the above-listed property
is certified as blighted, the City of Reading Redevelopment Authority has the right
to take the property via eminent domain proceedings if the conditions are not
abated.
Persons affected may appear at the hearing to show cause why this action should
be stayed, modified, or rescinded.
For additional information or to
register for the hearing, call the
Council Office at 610 655 6204 or e mail
Council@readingpa.org
________________________________________
Lee Olsen, AIA, NCARB, Chair
________________________________________
Linda Kelleher, Secretary
Determination Notice

14. BPRC Process Forms
with Checklist

15. BPRC Process Forms
CITY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA
BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE
OFFICE 2-24
815 WASHINGTON STREET
READING, PA 19601-3690
(610) 655-6204
November 19, 2010
«Owner1» «Owner2»
«OwnerAddr1»
«OwnerAddr2»
Re: «Addr1»
Dear «Owner1» «Owner2»:
This letter is your official notice that the City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee (BPRC) has determined
«Addr1» to be blighted at the BPRC Determination hearing that occurred on Thursday, November 18, 2010, under the
provisions set forth in the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act (Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991, 385
§12.1, as amended June 23, 1978 P.L. 556, 94 §2; 35 P.S. §1712.1). Your property exhibits one or more of the nine
conditions of blight listed in the Law and identified in previous correspondence regarding this matter. You are hereby
notified of the Certification Hearing for this property scheduled for January 20, 2011, which shall also be posted on
upon the property.
As the owner or agent of «Addr1», you are hereby ordered to eliminate the conditions resulting in this blight
designation before the BPRC Certification Hearing scheduled for January 20, 2011at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, City
Hall. If these conditions are not addressed, your property will become eligible for condemnation and acquisition by the
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading under the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act
and the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code.
Removing your property from this process requires working closely with the City of Reading Building, Trades, Fire and
Codes Offices to remediate the problematic conditions cited in the determination hearing. Please contact Mr. Steven
Haver, Community Development Specialist at (610) 655-5336 to discuss your options or if you have any questions about
the conditions that have resulted in your property being classified as blighted.
For more information about the blighted property process, contact City Clerk Linda Kelleher in the City Council Office
at 610 655 6204.
Sincerely,
City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee
Lee Olsen, Chair
Attest:
____________________________________
Linda A. Kelleher CMC, City Clerk
FAX: (610)373-2858
Determination Order

16. BPRC Process Forms
Blighted Property Review Committee
Certification Hearing
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Council Chambers
815 Washington Street
In the matter of:
«Addr1»
«Owner1» «Owner2», owner(s)
The above-listed property was found to be vacant, as per Codified Ordinances
Chapter 1, Section 1-544 (6). This property has been cited by the City’s Codes
Office for various quality of life violations of the City’s Property Maintenance
Code Section 3 General Requirements, such as trash accumulation, uncut
grass/weeds, graffiti, etc. On April 13, 2011, the property owner was provided
with notice to abate the specific conditions identified in the determination notice.
On May 19, a hearing was held and the property was determined to be blighted in
accordance with the ordinance.
Notice is hereby served via regular and certified mail that the owner has 60 days
to abate the blight conditions in evidence at the subject property. Failure to do
so will result in the property being certified as blighted. As per Codified
Ordinance Chapter 1, Section 1-545, the City of Reading Redevelopment Authority
has the right to take the property via eminent domain proceedings if the
conditions are not abated and the property is certified as blighted.
Persons affected may appear at the hearing to show cause why this action should
be stayed, modified, or rescinded.
For additional information or to
register for the hearing, call the
Council Office at 610 655 6204 or e mail
Council@readingpa.org
________________________________________
Lee Olsen, AIA, NCARB, Chair
________________________________________
Linda Kelleher, Secretary
With Certification Notice

17. BPRC Process Forms
CITY OF READING, PENNSYLVANIA
BLIGHTED PROPERTY REVIEW COMMITTEE
OFFICE 2-24
815 WASHINGTON STREET
READING, PA 19601-3690
(610) 655-6204
November 19, 2010
«Owner1» «Owner2»
«OwnerAddr1»
«OwnerAddr2»
Re: «Addr1»
Dear «Owner1» «Owner2»:
This letter is your official notice that the City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee (BPRC) has determined
«Addr1» to be blighted at the BPRC Determination hearing that occurred on Thursday, November 18, 2010, under the
provisions set forth in the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act (Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991, 385
§12.1, as amended June 23, 1978 P.L. 556, 94 §2; 35 P.S. §1712.1). Your property exhibits one or more of the nine
conditions of blight listed in the Law and identified in previous correspondence regarding this matter. You are hereby
notified of the Certification Hearing for this property scheduled for January 20, 2011, which shall also be posted on
upon the property.
As the owner or agent of «Addr1», you are hereby ordered to eliminate the conditions resulting in this blight
designation before the BPRC Certification Hearing scheduled for January 20, 2011at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, City
Hall. If these conditions are not addressed, your property will become eligible for condemnation and acquisition by the
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading under the Urban Redevelopment Blighted Property Acquisition Act
and the Pennsylvania Eminent Domain Code.
Removing your property from this process requires working closely with the City of Reading Building, Trades, Fire and
Codes Offices to remediate the problematic conditions cited in the determination hearing. Please contact Mr. Steven
Haver, Community Development Specialist at (610) 655-5336 to discuss your options or if you have any questions about
the conditions that have resulted in your property being classified as blighted.
For more information about the blighted property process, contact City Clerk Linda Kelleher in the City Council Office
at 610 655 6204.
Sincerely,
City of Reading Blighted Property Review Committee
Lee Olsen, Chair
Attest:
____________________________________
Linda A. Kelleher CMC, City Clerk
FAX: (610)373-2858
Certification Order

18. 2009 BPRC Success
 12 properties certified as blighted
 3 - demolished under waiver
 5 - rehabilitated by owner or NGO
 3 - undergoing Eminent Domain
 1 – contested in court (recently extinguished due
to lack of action)
Next step...ramp up the process

19. 2010 BPRC Success:
32 properties certified as blighted, almost
triple of first year output, BUT...
 Hearings still too process bottlenecked
 Hearings still lengthy and wearing for
BPRC members and staff
Efficiency Improvements Required!!

20. 2011 Streamline
the Process!
45 Minutes for a 12-15 property hearing
 Affidavits from City Offices
 Summary Sheet to enter conditions into
the record
 Consent Agenda format when property
owners are not present
Turned 32 properties a year into
120 properties a year

21. Property Summary Sheet

22. Improvements for 2012
 Centralize support process into existing
Codes Department
 Automate form creation with the City’s
database
 Rehab follow up from responsible
departments – Codes or Building/Trades
 Utilize new legal tools from Act 90
 Add blight criteria to the Property
Maintenance Code

23. After the Hearing
Work with legal to select an acquisition
process...eminent domain or other
Work with NGOs to take title, rehab
and sell for owner occupancy
Work with your local realtors to
develop a program that supports
rehab and reuse

24. Morale of the Story?
Don’t let this Turn into this

25. Reading Blighted Property
Review Committee
Questions?
Linda.kelleher@readingpa.org
Phone: 610-655-6204