Auditor General DePasquale Supports Delaying Sale of Former State-Owned Property to Private Developer in Chester County
Auditor General DePasquale Supports Delaying Sale of Former State-Owned Property to Private Developer in Chester County
HARRISBURG (Nov. 6, 2013)– Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said today that he supports delaying the sale of a property in Chester County until a further assessment is completed on a deed restriction placed on the land when it was originally sold by the state in 2002.
DePasquale is concerned that a 20-acre property slated to be bought by a private developer would not be used as the General Assembly intended when it was sold to the Chester County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The restriction calls for the property to be used for the prevention of cruelty to animals.
“I fully support the newly elected board of the Chester County SPCA’s request that the state delay further action on the pending sale,” DePasquale said.
The delay would give the new board time to review the agreement, assess whether there is a basis to remove the deed restriction, and talk with the developer and West Bradford Township officials.
Earlier this year, the former board of the CCSPCA agreed to sell the 20-acre plot to a developer that bought the adjoining property where the former Embreeville State Hospital was located.
“All the parties involved should proceed cautiously since this sale will have a major impact on the SPCA and community residents,” he said, noting that he wants to make sure this land transaction is done in a transparent manner and in the best interest of the community.
The General Assembly approved the land transfer in 2002 with stipulations that the land must be used for SPCA services. Using the land for another purpose requires the CCSPCA to provide good reason to remove the deed restriction, and pay the state the difference between the original price and the current fair market value.
“As a former state legislator, I believe it may be time for the legislature and the Department of General Services to re-evaluate the criteria and stipulations included in transfers of formerly public land to strengthen transparency measures that ensure the land is used as intended and to protect the interests of taxpayers,” DePasquale said.
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