In early 2025, the City Council requested a formal framework to govern the acquisition and disposition of municipal property to replace the current case-by-case handling of land transactions. To increase transparency and efficiency, staff have developed a draft Land Purchase & Sale Policy and are now seeking community input to ensure it aligns with the goals of our residents and local businesses before it is presented for formal adoption. This page provides the policy draft, the project timeline, and specific details on how you can participate in the decision-making process.

Proposed Land Purchase and Land Sale Policy

Proposed Land Purchase and Land Sale Ordinance

What Is the Land Purchase and Sale Policy? 

This policy is a set of standardized guidelines that the City will follow when buying new property or selling city-owned land to private individuals or developers. It defines the rules for transactions, ensuring that every sale or purchase is handled with the same level of scrutiny, fairness, and public benefit.

Why Create this Policy?

The policy aims to:

• Create Transparency: Ensure the public knows how and why the City is buying or selling specific parcels of land.
• Encourage Development: Provide a clear, predictable process for residents and developers interested in purchasing City-owned lots.
• Protect Public Assets: Establish criteria to ensure the City receives fair value and that future land use benefits the neighborhood.

Key Features of the Proposed Ordinance

The following section summarizes some basics on what the proposed policy will do.

• Property Acquisition: The City acquires properties on a case-by-case basis to eliminate hazards, remove blight, or develop municipal infrastructure, provided that the reasoning and intended future use are publicly stated at the time of acquisition.
• Side lot sales: This will provide adjacent property owners the opportunity to purchase qualifying City-owned vacant lots to expand yards, improve maintenance, and strengthen neighborhood stability. Sales may be offered at reduced cost, subject to deed restrictions preventing standalone development.
• Neighborhood Lot Sales: This allows residents or local stakeholders to purchase vacant lots for neighborhood-compatible uses such as gardens, green space, stormwater improvements, or community amenities, subject to zoning compliance. 
• Infill Housing Lot Sales: This prioritizes the sale of buildable vacant lots for new residential construction consistent with surrounding neighborhood character. Applicants may be required to submit development timelines, building elevations, and proof of financing.
• Homestead Sales: This facilitates the gut rehabilitation of vacant or abandoned houses by selling them to individuals or developers who commit to completing a full restoration within one year and provide proof of financing, building plans, and a track record of municipal good standing.
• Real estate Held for Future Development: This prioritizes the sale of larger-scale parcels or assembled sites to developers for impactful projects that align with the community's long-term vision. Applicants are subject to a heightened level of scrutiny and must enter into a development agreement that clearly defines the specific type of construction to take place.

Community Engagement & Decision-Making Timeline

The following timeline outlines the community engagement and decision making process.  Additionally, community members are encouraged to share input through the online comment form or by emailing cedmail@rigov.org. Please keep in mind that the proposed policy is intended to be a basis for continued conversation and your input is valuable in helping shape it.