DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 2
SUBJECT:
Disposition of 25 vacant City-owned properties
SUMMARY:
An ordinance declaring as surplus and authorizing conveyance of 25 City-owned vacant properties, located in Council District 2.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Staff has identified 25 vacant city-owned properties in City Council District 2. Under Municipal Code, all City property must be declared as surplus prior to the disposition of the property. All City departments and utility agencies have been canvassed and it has been determined that the property can be disposed in accordance with Chapter 272 of the Texas Local Government Code.
18 of the 25 tracts of real properties have been held in trust since the 1970’s by the City of San Antonio due to tax foreclosures. With this action, all City of San Antonio liens are being forgiven. Liens by other taxing entities will be paid when each property is sold for development. 19 of the 25 properties identified in Exhibit A are residential lots targeted for redevelopment and will be made available to San Antonio Affordable Housing, Inc. for the development of affordable homes. The remaining six lots are remnants. These remnant lots are irregular sized or shaped and cannot be developed independently. These remnant lots will be offered at a discount to the adjacent property owners in accordance with state law. Any properties not acquired by SAAH or otherwise conveyed will be offered for sale through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
Approval of this request would allow the properties to be placed on the tax rolls and generate revenue for the taxing entities. Additionally, the City of San Antonio would discontinue the maintenance of the properties upon final conveyance.
ISSUE:
This ordinance declares as surplus and authorizes the disposition and conveyance of 25 City-owned vacant properties, located in Council District 2. This action is consistent with the City Code and Ordinances, which require City Council approval for the disposition of any surplus City-owned real property.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve the disposition of these 25 vacant City-owned properties and place the properties on the tax rolls; however, the properties will remain vacant and the City of San Antonio would continue to be responsible for the maintenance of the properties. In addition, this would prevent the properties from being placed on the tax rolls to generate revenue for the City and the other taxing entities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated value of the 25 properties is $194,160.00 as determined by using the Bexar Appraisal District’s assessed values. Some of the properties will be conveyed to SAAH to be used for infill housing and the remnant lots will be offered to the adjacent owners. The sales price of the lots will be determined in accordance with Chapter 272 of the Local Government Code. Any revenue from the sale of these properties by the City of San Antonio will be deposited in the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION:
The City of San Antonio's Planning Commission approved this request at its regular meeting on March 23, 2016. Staff recommends approval of the disposition and sale of 25 vacant City-owned properties located in Council District 2. The SAAH Board approved the acceptance of the buildable lots, upon review and selection, in its meeting on April 21, 2016.