Title
Amending Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Philadelphia Land Bank," to amend standards for the acquisition and disposition of vacant and underutilized property; and to further provide for certain powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Philadelphia Land Bank; all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 16-700 of The Philadelphia Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 16-700. PHILADELPHIA LAND BANK.
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? 16-705. Acquisition.
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(3) Acquisition of Tax Delinquent Properties.
(a) Tax Sale Actions Initiated by the Land Bank.
(.1) Assignment of Liens and Claims to the Land Bank. The Land Bank is authorized to enter into agreements with the City of Philadelphia, [and] the School District of Philadelphia, and any private entities to acquire, assign and transfer a lien or pre-judgment claim to the Land Bank, and to exercise the rights, privileges, and remedies of an assignee as stated in 53 P.S. ? 7101 et seq., provided that the Land Bank shall not accept assignment of any liens or pre-judgment claims against an owner-occupied property.
(.2) Certifications for Tax Sale Actions Requested by the Land Bank. The [Land Bank is authorized to request the] City of Philadelphia shall certify for upset or judicial sale a property that is both vacant and delinquent as to municipal taxes or claims, no more than 90 days after the Land Bank requests such certification, [provided that the Land Bank determines that the acquisition is consistent with its mission and policies] unless the City of Philadelphia establishes, in writing, that the property cannot be certified because: the account is tax compliant (either full payment or approved payment agreement); a court-ordered stay or postponement is in place; the account is under appeal; the owner is in bankruptcy; the lien(s) has been discharged in a prior tax sale; or the departmen...
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