HAGERSTOWN – The Hagerstown City Council hopes to add to its arsenal in the fight against urban blight with amendments to its tax sale property program. These updates, approved recently, aim to streamline property redevelopment and increase community involvement.
The council repealed and re-enacted a portion of the city code to align closely with recent Maryland legislation. This allows the city to acquire tax certificates even without predetermined redevelopment partners, marking a notable shift from previous policies.
Neighborhood Services Manager Paul Fulk emphasized the impact of these changes. “Previously, we needed a committed end user before securing a tax certificate. Now we can proactively withhold properties from tax sales, aligning redevelopment efforts with broader community and economic goals.”
Key amendments include:
- Expanded and clarified definitions for nonprofit organizations.
- Established procedures for withholding properties from tax sales that are managed by the county treasurer.
- Defined a process for selecting end-users.
- Set formal eligibility criteria for buyers.
- Exempt city-owned properties from zoning non-conformity.
A new committee comprised of representatives from several city departments will evaluate redevelopment proposals, ensuring alignment with city priorities.
Under the revised guidelines, adjacent property owners receive priority for undeveloped land, while nonprofits get initial rights to properties requiring extensive rehabilitation. If no nonprofits show interest, these properties become publicly available.
A ranking system will assess potential buyers’ ability to redevelop properties. Strict deadlines will be enforced to prevent speculative investments; properties will revert to city ownership if buyers do not meet timely redevelopment requirements.
In 2023, new state legislation enabled Hagerstown to retain 23 properties from tax sale, significantly advancing the city’s redevelopment objectives.
Residents are encouraged to actively participate by attending city meetings or engaging with the Community & Economic Development Department.
