Overview
The December ANC 4B Community Safety and Support Committee meeting focused on the Vacant to Vibrant Amendment Act of 2024, aimed at addressing vacant and blighted properties in Washington, DC. Key discussions included prevention measures, such as improved legal support for property titles and tax payment plans, followed by proposed enhancements to registration processes, including stricter classification criteria for vacant properties and escalating penalties for non-compliance. The committee explored a receivership process modeled after Baltimore's successful initiative to rehabilitate neglected properties through nonprofit developers, while also considering revised tax structures and thresholds related to vacant properties. Action items included improving heir notifications about property status, exploring integration of tangled title information, and refining the single-family rehabilitation program. The meeting concluded with a commitment to gather more input on the criteria for classifying properties as vacant or blighted, demonstrating the committee's proactive approach to community safety and property revitalization.
Notes
Vacant to Vibrant Amendment Act (00:00 - 10:07)
Blaine Stum from Committee of the Whole discussing Vacant to Vibrant Amendment Act of 2024
Legislation aims to address vacant and blighted properties in DC
Bill originated from working group with ANC commissioners, agency representatives, developers, and researchers
Three main components: prevention, registration improvements, and incentives/taxes
Prevention Measures (10:17 - 20:44)
Tangled title information sheet to help with probate and legal services
Will registry for physical or electronic wills
Extension of single family home rehab program
Real property tax payment plans codification
Education needed on will filing with DC Superior Court
Concerns about miscategorized properties and notification to heirs
️ Registration Improvements (20:46 - 30:41)
Additional factors for determining vacant or blighted status
ANC certification for classifying properties as vacant or blighted
Revised exemptions and timelines, including building permit exemption
Escalating penalties for failure to register properties
Vacant property maintenance plan requirement
️ Receivership Process (31:14 - 44:53)
Creation of vacant property receivership process
Based on Baltimore's model, which has been successful
City would acquire property through court petition if blighted and vacant for a certain period
Property would be given to non-profit developer for rehabilitation and sale
Concerns about consent of owner and criteria for receivership
Incentives and Taxes (45:55 - 55:17)
Revised tax rates that escalate over time for vacant properties
New tax sale process for vacant and blighted properties
Rehabilitation tax credit for single-family homes
Commercial property tax abatement incentive
Tax Lien Sales and Thresholds (55:20 - 01:04:28)
Discussion on moving away from tax lien sales
Concerns about equity in current tax lien sale process
Proposal to raise threshold for tax sale eligibility from
2,500 to12,500
Need for balance between incentivizing property use and protecting homeowners
Receivership Criteria (01:05:27 - 01:10:07)
Criteria for receivers: current on taxes, no outstanding housing code violations
Experience with renovation/rehabilitation required
Demonstration of sufficient resources needed
Concerns about LLC transparency and property reuse requirements
Final Considerations (01:11:22 - 01:17:39)
Discussion on improving initial classification of vacant and blighted properties
Legislation may be more helpful for apartment buildings than private residences
Need for further input on criteria for determining vacant or blighted status
Action items
Blaine Stum - DC Council
Explore ideas for improving notification to heirs about property status (26:54)
Work on integrating tangled title information with additional property status notice (32:19)
Review and potentially adjust income threshold for single-family rehabilitation program (55:59)
Address heirs' ability to access single-family rehab program in the bill (58:29)
Charles Linton - Committee Member
Compile and send links about receivership legislation and criteria (01:16:25)
Tiffani Johnson - Committee Chair
Upload meeting recording to ANC4B06 website and distribute summary on area listservs (01:17:18)
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