September 22, 2022

1pm - 2pm Eastern

Land Use: Equity in Property Assessments and Zoning

Real estate taxes are an important source of income for most local governments.  Property assessments should be fair and equitable in order to ensure that all property owners pay their fair share, but no more. This program will include discussion of historic and current inequities in property assessments, and current thinking on ways to reduce these inequities.

Zoning codes and decisions by zoning boards have a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of residents.  Because of this widespread impact, it is important that a variety of stakeholders have access to the zoning process in order to provide input on issues in their communities.  This presentation will first review the various stakeholders in zoning matters and how they are impacted, followed by a discussion of the challenges to equitable access and outcomes in zoning.       

Faculty members are an attorney who counsels the Philadelphia Office of Property Assessment, in addition to defending assessment appeals; and an attorney who is counsel to the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Speakers: Amy Galer and Hilary Emerson

Amy Galer is a Deputy City Solicitor in the Property Assessment Unit of the Philadelphia Law Department.  She defends property tax assessment appeals before the Board of Revision of Taxes, in addition to providing counsel to the Office of Property Assessment on a variety of issues, including non-profit exemptions.  Prior to her employment with the City of Philadelphia, Amy was an attorney with a firm in Philadelphia.  She is a graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law and Boston University.

 

Hilary Emerson is a Senior Attorney in the City of Philadelphia Law Department, Property Assessment Unit.  In this role, she provides counsel to multiple municipal administrative boards, including the Zoning Board of Adjustment.  Prior to joining the Law Department, Hilary served as Chief Legal, Housing & Zoning Counsel for Philadelphia Councilwoman and Majority Leader Cherelle Parker, managing zoning and land use issues in the 9th Council District.  She previously served as the Councilwoman’s Chief Legislative Aide, handling budget and legislative matters, when State Representative Parker was a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.  Hilary is a proud graduate of Temple University’s Beasley School of Law, where she was a member of the moot court team and participated in a variety of public service internships.  She began her career as a Human Resource Assistant at the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General following her graduation from Messiah College (now Messiah University) with a degree in communications.