Calling on the Director of Planning and Development to commission an annual disparity study of land dispositions by the City and its related agencies.

WHEREAS, Land dispositions by the City and its related agencies have a significant impact on the quality of life and economic viability of neighborhoods where the City-owned land is located; and

WHEREAS, City-owned land is often located in emerging neighborhoods which have often suffered from many years of disinvestment; and

WHEREAS, Residents and businesses in those neighborhoods are at a disadvantage for acquiring City-owned land because they lack access to capital and face other barriers; and

WHEREAS, Large developers from outside the neighborhood have been able to exploit this disadvantage by acquiring City-owned land for development of tax-abated properties; and

WHEREAS, The development of tax-abated properties has led to gentrification and higher taxes for existing residents; and

WHEREAS, A disparity study identifying the recipients of City-owned land is necessary for guiding efforts to include neighborhood residents, minorities and small developers in the economic opportunities created by City-land sales; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Director of Planning and Development shall commission an annual disparity study of land dispositions by the City and its related agencies, which shall include the demographics of those acquiring City-owned land.

End