(a) The City of Massillon 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 the City of Massillon and owned by the City of Massillon. The procedures set forth in Ohio R.C. Chapter 5722 are adopted and implemented by the City of Massillon as there exists sufficient and substantial nonproductive land owned by the City of Massillon within the boundaries of the City of Massillon 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 thereof to public use.
(b) The Director of Community Development shall administer the Land Reutilization Program established pursuant to subsection (a) hereof and Ohio R.C. Chapter 5722. In order to return nonproductive land to tax revenue-generating status, Council may authorize and direct by ordinance the sale of any nonproductive land that it determines is not needed for municipal purposes through the Land Reutilization Program. Properties directed and authorized by Council for disposition through the Land Reutilization Program shall be sold upon the following terms and conditions:
(1) The bidder shall submit a bid form in writing to the Director of Community Development indicating which lot(s) they wish to bid on denoted by the land parcel number and indicating the proposed use for redevelopment of the property. The minimum bid price shall not be less than fair market value which has been determined to be eight dollars ($8.00) per front foot regardless of the size or location of the lot. Corner lots shall be charged for the front footage on the address side of the property. If two (2) or more persons are interested in purchasing the same lot(s), the City reserves the right to give preferred status to the following:
A. Abutting owner-occupied property owners;
B. Abutting property owners;
C. Citizens of the City of Massillon and corporations, companies, organizations and institutions located in the City of Massillon; and
D. Land reuse that is consistent with the current City Zoning Code and fits within the current neighborhood characteristics.
(2) The conveyance from the City shall contain the covenant and agreement that the purchaser shall comply with the proposed use for redevelopment.
(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 lot 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. In addition, no property shall be sold to any person who is more than sixty (60) days delinquent on any City utility bill or in arrears on payments to the City in any capacity.
(4) At any point in time, no one person, firm, corporation or company may own more than five (5) lots pursuant to the City's Land Reutilization Program.
(5) The Law Director is authorized to prepare, the Safety Service Director is authorized to execute, and the Director of Community Development is authorized to deliver all deeds or other instruments of conveyances necessary to dispose of land acquired or disposed of though the City's Land Reutilization Program.
(6) The Director of Community Development shall compile and maintain a written inventory of all properties held by and/or obtained under the Land Reutilization Program and establish and maintain records and accounts reflecting all transactions, expenditures and revenues relating to the Land Reutilization Program.
(7) In order to enhance the effectiveness of the Land Reutilization Program, the Director of Community Development may accept, as gifts on behalf of the City, real property, which, upon approval by Council, shall be held, administered and disposed of in the same manner as are lands acquired pursuant to this Chapter and Ohio R.C. Chapter 5722. Any and all real property offered and/or accepted must be free of any and all encumbrances.
(Ord. 46-2023. Passed 6-20-23.)