(a) The City of Canton adopts and implements the procedures set forth in Ohio R.C. Chapter 5722 in order to develop a process to facilitate the effective reutilization of nonproductive land situated in the boundaries of and owned by it. The procedures set forth in Ohio R.C. Chapter 5722 are adopted and implemented as there exists sufficient and substantial nonproductive land which is of such nature and extent as to necessitate the implementation of a Land Reutilization Program to advance either the return of such nonproductive land to tax revenue generating status or the devotion to public use.
(b) The Director of the Planning Department shall administer the Land Reutilization Program established pursuant to subsection (a) and Ohio R.C. Chapter 5722 and shall maintain a written inventory and digital database of program properties. In order to return nonproductive land to tax revenue-generating status, the sale of any nonproductive land not needed for municipal purposes through the Land Reutilization Program may be sold without competitive bidding. Properties directed and authorized for disposition through the Land Reutilization Program shall be sold upon the following terms and conditions:
(1) The prospective purchaser shall submit an application in writing to the Director of the Planning Department indicating which lot(s) they wish to purchase described by the land parcel number and indicating the proposed use for redevelopment of the property. The Director and the City reserve the right to sell property in the program in their sole discretion and upon any conditions they deem necessary to effectuate the property's effective reutilization.
(2) The minimum price shall not be less than fair market value which has been determined by a certified appraisal for program properties. A copy of the most current version of the appraisal is on file in the Department of Planning.
(3) It shall further be a condition of the conveyance from the City that the purchaser shall agree in writing to maintain the property in accordance with all applicable Health, Building and Property Maintenance Codes of the City. No property shall be sold to any person who is delinquent of his/her/its real estate taxes and/or municipal income taxes, nor in violation of any Zoning, Building, Health or Property Maintenance Codes of the City, including the requirements listed in Canton Codified Ordinance 105.07.
(4) The Law Department shall review the purchase agreement and prepare the deed for the Mayor or Director of Public Service to sign.
(5) All proceeds from the sale of program properties will be distributed pursuant to Ohio R.C. 5722.08.
(Ord. 177-2024. Passed 9-9-24.)