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.
“These aren?t just vacant buildings that are standing there,” he said. “These are the worst of the worst. They are falling into disrepair and can?t be rehabbed.”
Gardina said perhaps the first building to go under the new policy would be a former Roy Rogers on York Road in Towson near the Investment Place site. The bill affects only investment properties ? defined as commercial, industrial, rental, or any structure uninhabited for at least six months ? in revitalization districts like Essex-Middle River, Dundalk, Pikesville and the Liberty Road corridor.
Council members agreed that properties left to deteriorate pose health and safety threats and can affect their surroundings.
But during testimony, representatives from the real estate community and the county Chamber of Commerce said they were concerned that the bill may violate property owners? rights. Chamber officials convinced council members to change language in the bill that would have “required” the county to destroy abandoned property. The bill now merely gives officials the authority to tear down such property.
“We feel that will give them more discretion,” said Megan Wilson, the chamber?s government relations specialist. “If you?re doing renovations or there is down time in the market, there may be extenuating circumstances.”
