One of the proposed benefits from the formation of a county landbank is the ability to jump the tax sale line to secure prime properties.

A few properties slated for judicial tax sale in May were presented to the board for consideration. The landbank met recently and it was clear that more work is needed to define just how to best use that authority.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said that authority would have to “be discussed from a strategic standpoint … trying to address areas that are going downhill, having problems or have housing issues. It is better for us to have control over the outcome of this property? It’s a discussion that has to happen with the township. (This) group has to have (that) conversation strategically.”

“There will be some areas where a property is too far gone,” board member Joe Whipp said. “But I do know that the inventory is so low, investors are chomping at the bit. I don’t think we should be unfairly competing with that.”

Eggleston said one way the authority could be used would be for the landbank to be an intermediary for non-profits looking to redevelop properties.

“We can reduce that cost of entry, especially if for a non-profit foundation,” he said.

Eggleston suggested the landbank board will need to work through some strategic planning “on places to focus on.” Such an effort would be limited though, he acknowledged, because just five to six of the county’s 27 municipalities have signed on the landbank.

The county’s Redevelopment Authority met prior to the landbank meeting (members of the county RDA also serve on the landbank) and had to run back action on a blighted property in Columbus Township.

Chief Clerk Pam Matve said the decision to remove 16 E. Main St. from the blight list was not discussed with the township beforehand. It includes an exposed basement with 2.5 foot walls around the perimeter.

“It’s a safety concern for us,” Chris Lyon, Columbus township secretary, told the board, noting that the supervisors “don’t want it to be swept under the rug.”

RDA Chair Phil Gilbert said the property could remain on the blight list but added that the RDA is “limited on what we can do.”