Monessen OKs board to review property blight

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

The City of Monessen has re-established its blighted property review board and will accept applications for three open seats.

Council approved the ordinance that re-established the legally required organization this month and agreed to advertise to appoint three residents to the seven-member board. 

The other members must include one council member, one redevelopment authority board member, one planning commission and either the city’s mayor, administrator or clerk.

The ordinance will re-establish the board’s purpose, rules and regulations, along with the procedures for the determination, acquisition and reuse of blighted property and establishing an appeal process.

City Solicitor Tim Witt said it will essentially be a due process board.

“This law follows the urban redevelopment law,” he said. 

The solicitor explained that a blighted property owner might have a hearing before the redevelopment authority and then be unhappy with the outcome. That person could have an opportunity for a secondary appeal at city council, Witt said.

Councilman Tony Orzechowski questioned the utility of the blighted property review board and where it would come into play.

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