Blighted Property Review Committee
The Blighted Property Review Committee is a recreation of the Vacant Property Committee, which was once used by the City to rehabilitate vacant and blighted properties in Reading. The Vacant Property Committee was composed of City staff. The Blighted Property Review Committee is composed of representatives from City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Redevelopment Authority along with two at large citizens and a member representing the Mayor.
The Blighted Property Review Committee began by completing a project to identify and rate the blighted properties across Reading. Approximately 1400 properties were identified. Annually the Committee reviews the Blighted Property Map to identify individual blighted properties along with a target neighborhood and target area. Property owners are contacted to arrange an inspection and are given an opportunity to renovate or turn the property over for demolition. At time when property owners fail to respond to the notices, their properties enter into the eminent domain process through the Reading Redevelopment Authority, which takes 12-18 months.
The Blighted Property Review Committee has partnered with Our City Reading, Neighborhood Housing Services, Habitat for Humanity and the County ADD program (through the County Community Development Office) to assist with rehabilitation projects and demolition for neighborhood reuse.
Mission: To implement provisions of the Urban Redevelopment Law of 1945, as amended by Act 94 of 1978, further amended by Act 113 of 2002, promoting reuse and reinvestment in properties in the City of Reading.
Meetings: 3rd Thursday of the month at 6 pm in Council Chambers
Created by Ordinance 65-2006, amended 49, August 9, 2010 to include a removal process, amended 62, August 23, 2010 to change the term to four years, amended October 2023 to reduce the membership to 5 and to add 2 alternates.
Mayor w/Council Approval 5 members 4 year term
Liaison: Linda Kelleher, 610-655-6204
Solicitor Michelle Mayfield, Esq.
City of Reading 2019 Housing and Blight Strategy
City of Reading Housing and Blight Strategy Adoption 02.24.25
| 5 members | 4 year term | |||
| Date Appointed |
Date Reappointed |
Term Expiration |
||
| Chris Miller, Council Rep | ||||
| Melissa Ventura, Alternate Council Rep | ||||
| Peter Rye, Planning Rep | 8/3/23 | 8/3/27 | ||
| Thomas McMahon, Redevelopment Rep | 8/1/22 | 8/1/26 | ||
| Ann Woodward | 3/11/24 | 3/11/28 | ||
| Jaime Keith | 3/11/24 | 3/11/28 | ||
| Alternate: | ||||
| vacant | ||||
| Andrew Boyd | 3/25/24 | 3/24/28 |