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Land Bank Concept Considered Locally

By Greg Bebermeyer

06/04/2015

(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has been asked to consider the creation of a land bank.

Gene Hillyer and Steve Smith, members of a planning group that have been working on the concept, met with the Commission Monday.

Hillyer said the goal is to return tax delinquent property to a productive use beneficial for the community. “There are a number of these properties around,” Hillyer told the Commission. “We had focus groups in different areas of the county. Horton's got them, Hiawatha's got them, Morrill's got them, Everest has got them. Everybody has them but nobody knows what to do with them.”

Land may be purchased, gifted or inherited to the land bank. Hillyer says the property could then be used for community gardens, green spaces, other uses, or sold to adjacent landowners.

The Commission was presented with a sample resolution for their consideration that would establish a land bank in the county.

The Commission will review related information, and consult with the County Attorney, before making a decision. Although they took no action,Commissioner Steve Roberts voiced support for the concept.

State law allows for the creation of a land bank, which would be governed by a board of trustees appointed by the Commission.

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