For the purpose of this Part, all words used in present tense include the future tense. All words in the plural number include the singular number and all words in the singular number include the plural number, unless the natural construction of the word clearly indicates otherwise. The word "shall" is mandatory and not discretionary. The word "used" includes "designated, intended, built, or arranged to be used."
BLIGHTED PROPERTY —
A. Includes: [Added 2-26-2024 by Ord. No. 12-2024]
(1) A premises:
(a) Ascertained to be a public nuisance due to physical condition or use and regarded as such at common law and deemed to be a danger to public health, safety and welfare or public nuisance as regulated by a locally adopted property maintenance code or, if no such code exists, any compatible code enacted by the act of November 10, 1999 (P.L.491, No.45), known as the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act; or
(b) The condition of which contains an attractive nuisance created by physical condition, use or occupancy, including abandoned water wells, shafts, basements, excavations and unsafe fences or other structures, or which contains an unauthorized entry, unsafe equipment, or other safety risk.
(2) A dwelling that has been condemned or otherwise deemed unfit for occupancy or use by the local authority having jurisdiction due to dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin-infested condition or that is lacking in the facilities and equipment as required by the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.
(3) A structure determined by the local authority having jurisdiction to be a fire hazard or otherwise that could easily catch fire or cause a fire and endanger public health, safety and welfare.
(4) A vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground located in a predominantly developed neighborhood that has become a place for the accumulation of trash and debris or a haven for rodents and other vermin by reason of neglect or lack of maintenance.
(5) A property that is vacant and has not been rehabilitated within one year from receipt of notice for corrective action as issued by the local authority having jurisdiction, except a property where a valid construction permit is in place.
(6) A vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground that is subject to a municipal lien for the cost of demolition of a structure previously located on the property and for which no payments on the lien have been made for a period of 12 months.
(7) A vacant or unimproved lot or parcel of ground on which the total municipal liens for delinquent real estate and property tax or any other type of municipal claim are greater than 150% of the fair market value of the property as established by the board of assessment appeals or other body with legal authority to determine the taxable value of the property.
(8) A property that has been declared abandoned in writing by the owner, including an estate that is in possession of the property.
B. Multiple properties. Blighted property shall include: [Added 10-22-2012 by Ord. No. 106-2010; amended 2-26-2024 by Ord. No. 12-2024]
(1) A majority of the units of property meet any of the requirements under Subsection A and represent a majority of the geographical area; or
(2) Properties representing a majority of the geographical area meet one or more of the conditions set forth in Subsection A(1) through (8) and at least 1/3 of the units of property meet two or more of the requirements under Subsection A(1) through (8) and one or more of the requirements under Subsection A(1) though (8).
CITY — The City of Reading.
CITY COUNCIL — The legislative body of the City of Reading, composed of Council President and six district representatives.
CODE — The health, housing, building, fire, electrical, plumbing or other related code of the City of Reading.
COMMISSION — The Reading Planning Commission.
COMMITTEE — The Blighted Property Review Committee.
GOVERNING BODY — The City Council of the City of Reading.
PUBLIC NUISANCE or NUISANCE — Any condition or usage whatsoever in or about buildings, structures or land or the streets or private ways and places, or elsewhere, within the City, whether public or private, which is found to be detrimental to the public health as determined by the Committee or other appropriate City office or agency.
REDEVELOPMENT AREA — Any area, whether improved or unimproved, which the Planning Commission may find to be blighted so as to require development.
REDEVELOPMENT AREA PLAN — A plan for the redevelopment of all or part of a redevelopment area made by a Planning Commission.
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY — Redevelopment Authority of the City of Reading.
REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL — A proposal, including a copy of the redevelopment area plan and supporting data, submitted for approval to the governing body by an authority for the redevelopment of all or part of a redevelopment area.
RESIDENTIAL AND RELATED USE — Includes residential property for sale or rental and related uses, including but not limited to, park and recreation areas, neighborhood community services, and neighborhood parking lots.
VACANT — Any unoccupied or unimproved lot or parcel of ground, which by reason or neglect or lack of maintenance shows to be unlikely habitable, implying abandonment on the part of the previous tenants or owner.