Indiana Code
Chapter 14. Redevelopment of Areas Needing Redevelopment Generally; Redevelopment Commissions
36-7-14-22.8. New Opportunity Area

Sec. 22.8. (a) This section applies only in Lake County as a pilot program to obtain experience with the method of disposing of real property set forth in this section.
(b) A redevelopment commission may establish a new opportunity area in accordance with the criteria and procedures set forth in this section. A redevelopment commission may dispose of property to which section 22.5 of this chapter applies as provided in this section if the property is located in a new opportunity area.
(c) A redevelopment commission may determine that the following findings apply to an area within the jurisdiction of the redevelopment commission:
(1) At least one-third (1/3) of the parcels in the area are vacant or abandoned, as determined under IC 36-7-37 or another statute.
(2) At least one-third (1/3) of the parcels in the area have at least one (1) of the following characteristics:
(A) The dwelling on the parcel is not permanently occupied.
(B) Two (2) or more property tax payments owed on the parcel are delinquent.
(3) None of the properties in the area have been annexed within the immediately preceding five (5) years over a remonstrance of a majority of the land owners within the annexed area.
(4) The area cannot be improved by the ordinary operation of private enterprise because of:
(A) the existence of conditions that lower the value of the land below that of nearby land; or
(B) other conditions similar to the conditions described in clause (A).
(5) Each of the parcels in the area are residential parcels that are less than one (1) acre in size.
(6) The property tax collection rate over the immediately preceding two (2) years has been less than sixty percent (60%).
(7) The sale of parcels that are held by the redevelopment commission and are located in the new opportunity area to individuals and other private entities will benefit the public health and welfare of the residents of the surrounding area and the area governed by the commission.
(d) Whenever a redevelopment commission makes the findings described in subsection (c), a redevelopment commission may adopt a resolution declaring the area to be a new opportunity area.
(e) After a redevelopment commission adopts a resolution declaring an area to be a new opportunity area, the redevelopment commission may dispose of properties to which section 22.5 of this chapter applies that are located in the new opportunity area by using the following procedure:
(1) The redevelopment commission shall give notice in accordance with IC 5-3-1 twice by publication, one (1) week apart, with the last publication occurring at least ten (10) days before the date on which the redevelopment commission intends to convene the meeting described in subdivision (2). The notice must include the following:
(A) The date, time, and place of the meeting described in subdivision (2).
(B) A description of each parcel to be offered for sale by parcel number and common address.
(C) A statement that the redevelopment commission:
(i) is accepting bids on the properties described under clause (B); and
(ii) intends to sell each property described under clause (B) to the highest responsible and responsive bidder.
(2) The redevelopment commission shall hold a meeting on the date and at the time and place specified in the notice described in subdivision (1) at which bids for the properties described in the notice shall be opened and read aloud. The redevelopment commission may thereafter sell each property to the highest responsible and responsive bidder.
(f) This section expires July 1, 2022.
As added by P.L.183-2016, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.257-2019, SEC.116.

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