By Christine Haines
[email protected]
The problem of blight is being addressed head on in Elizabeth Township with the development of an interactive database for use by code enforcement officers.
The database, which utilizes geographic information system mapping, was developed by the township’s first and only code enforcement intern, Jessica Gronlund. Gronlund began working with the township in January for her graduate internship for her degree in database management from Penn State.
“We have close to 150 blighted properties in the township. Some are definitely in a lot worse shape than other properties. Some will be able to be salvaged,” Gronlund said. “There are some vacant properties as well that could be reused in different ways.”
Gronlund’s project grew from a database to a multi-page website, which connects tax records, mapping programs, zoning ordinances and other information. That website is currently only for internal use and has not been made public, since not all of the information is public record. Portions of the website may be shared on the township website in the future, Gronlund said.
Gronlund worked closely with Assistant Code Enforcement Officer Greg Butler on the project. Butler said nearly all of the blighted properties are behind on taxes and many have code violations, though not all have been cited.
Mapping shows that 23% of the blighted properties in the township are located in the Buena Vista area, the heaviest single concentration of blighted properties.
“Blight is not only unsightly, it’s often unsafe. Most blighted properties are tax delinquent and they are often abandoned,” Gronlund said.
Gronlund said blighted properties also affect surrounding properties, lowering the value of properties within 150 feet by 15-17%. Blight may also result in families not wanting to move into the township or businesses selecting other areas to open, resulting in lost tax revenue for the municipality.
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