Policy allows county to raze old buildings

Baltimore County officials may have the authority to raze buildings that have been abandoned for five years or longer under a new policy adopted by the County Council Monday night.

The bill targets the county?s most blighted and unsafe properties in districts designated for commercial revitalization, according to Council Member Vince Gardina, D-District 5, who sponsored the bill. He said the properties will be inspected before they are deemed abandoned and property owners will be notified before they are destroyed.