* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Scott
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
title
Request for State Action - Tax Credits for Vacant Lot Maintenance
FOR the purpose of calling on the General Assembly to enact, and the Governor to sign, legislation authorizing the City of Baltimore to issue tax credits to homeowners for providing a valuable public service by maintaining vacant lots adjacent to their homes.
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Recitals
Vacant lots throughout Baltimore pose challenges to the city, but also present many opportunities for productive use. Depending on how they are maintained, these spaces can either be unsafe, overgrown, trash-covered blights ? or inviting green spaces that liven up their surrounding neighborhoods.
The City works to keep all City-owned lots well maintained and attractive, but a chronic lack of adequate resources for this task means that it sometimes falls short in its maintenance efforts. When this happens, adjoining property owners sometimes take it upon themselves to take care of these lots to prevent them from becoming blights.
Homeowners who step up like this are performing a public service. They deserve to be recognized and compensated for the benefit they?re providing to their entire community. Given the limited resources available to the City for maintaining vacant lots, it is also very much in the City?s interest to encourage others to similarly assist in keeping these pr...
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