ASHLAND – The Ashland County Land Reutilization Corporation voted Thursday to accept the donation of a house at 226 E. Walnut Street in Ashland.
The home burned in 2013 and has sat vacant ever since.
Land bank board president and county commissioner Denny Bittle said the property owners passed away and their children have offered to donate the property to the new land bank.
The land bank was created in April as a quasi-governmental entity designed to act on behalf of the county to take control of vacant, abandoned and/or tax delinquent properties, demolish or rehabilitate blighted structures, and transfer properties to qualified end users.
“Normally we would not take property without an end user, but I feel this property has value,” Bittle said. “I don’t think it’s in a location where it’s super critical that we have an end user.”
Bittle recommended the board acquire the property, use potential grant funding to demolish the boarded-up house and then put the land up for sale. Bittle added he believes the transformation would improve safety and property values in the neighborhood.
Mayor Matt Miller, who also serves on the land bank board, elaborated on the board’s decision.
“A lot of people may see us taking ownership of this property and say, ‘Well, why aren’t you taking ownership of some of the other properties around the city? Because there are others that are in equal, if not worse, condition,'” Miller said. “I think one reason why we’re choosing to take this property first and foremost is because the donor can gift it to the land bank.
“We don’t have to go through an extensive court process,” he continued. “We don’t have to wait for a foreclosure to go through the court system. That doesn’t mean we aren’t going to consider the rest of the properties.”
Bittle said the land bank has applied for two local grants that, if received, could assist with demolition costs. The land bank is also counting on receiving five percent of the county’s Delinquent Tax & Assessment Collection income starting next year. That will amount to about $67,652 annually.
Land bank director Hal Sheaffer suggested the land bank look into an opportunity for state reimbursement for demolition of properties.
Sheaffer said he would like to see the land bank receive a couple of local grants to help fund demolition up front. From there, the land bank could apply for reimbursment and then “roll over” the local funds to be used again on the next project.
After a unanimous vote to accept the donation, board members applauded and Bittle remarked, “Congratulations. That’s our first home.”
