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Council proposed changes to vacant property transfer law, seeks to ensure timely return to City.

Official:Amending Chapter 16-400 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Vacant and Surplus Properties," by amending Section 16-405, entitled "Transfer of Title," to change the time period that the Redevelopment Authority may hold property transferred by the Commissioner of Public Property and to require that such property be transferred back to the City after such time period has expired, and to make technical changes, all under certain terms and conditions.

Sponsor: Councilmember Kenney

Introduced: September 30, 2010

: Committee on Public Property and Public Works

housing planning

No one voted on this bill

This bill was introduced in the 2008–2011 Council term and when that term ran out. The public record shows no committee vote and no floor vote at any stage, so no member of Council ever went on record for or against it.

That is not unusual here. Of the 8,465 bills introduced between 2000 and 2025, 1,624 lapsed without a single recorded vote. Ninety percent of bills that became law carry a roll call. Three percent of lapsed bills do. How this works.

Plain-Language Summary

This bill amends a city law related to vacant and surplus properties, changing how long the Redevelopment Authority can hold property transferred from the Commissioner of Public Property. The goal is to ensure that these properties are eventually returned to the City.

What This Bill Does

AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.

Extends the time period that the Redevelopment Authority may hold property transferred by the Commissioner of Public Property.
Requires that the property be transferred back to the City after the extended time period has expired.
Requires the Redevelopment Authority to reimburse the City for any consideration it received from the Commissioner of Public Property upon the sale of the property.
Changes the language of Section 16-405 to make technical changes and clarify the process for transferring title.