This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Stalled Development Watch

Stalled Development Watch

liena zagare, Neighbor

Councilmember Brad Lander's office has put together a website with an interactive map to track all the stalled developments in his district, providing background information and status updates.  Kensington has quite a few such abandoned projects (from stalled condo's to abandoned lots).

Councilmember Lander is also working to develop legislation and policy initiatives that would keep these sites safe, address the hazards and nuisances to neighbors, and put them on a path to productive uses that are a benefit to community residents. His three-point plan is to:



    ⇥
  1. Impose a surcharge on vacant properties (including stalled development sites) that have a severe blighting effect on their surroundings;

    2. ⇥
  2. Strengthen the city’s ability to compel property owners to perform emergency repairs, complete them when the property owner is unable to, and to convert the cost of repairs into liens that are more easily foreclosable;

    3. ⇥
  3. Discourage speculation on troubled apartment buildings by changing state law to limit foreclosure auctions of multiple dwellings to responsible, credible bidders.



    4. Here is how we can participate:
    Many of these developments are causing real hazards for their neighbors, with fences falling down on sidewalks, loose construction debris that can become deadly in high winds, and unsecured sites that are dangerous for children and an invitation to squatting.

    Help the effort to convert local blight to community benefit by providing feedback and tracking the progress of each site.  If you call 311 about an issue, please leave a complaint number in the comment on www.stalleddevelopment.com.

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

    More from Windsor Terrace-Kensington