City heading toward returning six condemned Kensington parcels to former owners
The city is moving toward returning six parcels of land in Kensington to its former owners.
The city condemned the property about 10 years ago, with the hope of expanding a nearby pocket-park. But the city never paid the two owners for the land, planner Martine Decamp told planning commissioners last week. Plans to expand the park have been abandoned, Decamp said, and the property owners now want the land back.
At this point, Decamp said, it will be cheaper for the city to give the land back than to pay market value, plus damages and legal fees.
The commission approved the bill, which heads to City Council.
Contact the reporter at kgates@planphilly.com
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