SANFORD — The city is looking for four people to be part of a seven-member Land Bank Commission to oversee the new rental housing licensing and inspection program and other facets of a newly-approved rental housing ordinance.

Deadline for applications  is Sept. 1, and applications may be found at the city’s website under public notices.

As well as dealing with the rental housing inspection program, Community Development Director Ian Houseal said the Land Bank Commission’s mission is to  make recommendations to the City Council regarding property remediation, dangerous buildings and abandoned properties; to develop and monitor programs to incentivize residential development; encourage private enterprise and make recommendations and act on the purchase, acquisition and  disposal of property.

Four citizens will be named to the Land Bank Commission; three others will be city councilors.

“This is a way that an interested member of the community can make a positive impact, serving the community with regard to developing Sanford’s workforce housing and improving Sanford’s housing overall,” Houseal said.

The application contains several questions, ranging from an individual’s interest in the program to where they see the Land Bank Authority being in five years, their experience with municipal and state law and a number of other queries.

Applicants will also be interviewed.

The formation of the Land Bank Commission follows the City Council’s passage of a new rental housing inspection and licensing program last month.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.