A recent article in the Morning Call, discusses a new anti-blight ordinance passed in June 2019.
Alicia Miller Karner, city director of community and economic development said “the city will be modifying its permit applications, and owners will have to attest that they do not hold any property that is tax delinquent or has code violations. If they do, an explanation is required why they are delinquent or not up to code.. Anyone giving false information could be subject to third-degree misdemeanor charges, which can be punishable by a $1,000 fine.”
This stems from the concern that “comes in when buildings are owned by various partnerships and companies, making it difficult to ascertain whether the partners or officers in those companies own other property that is behind on taxes or has code violations.”
This is one recommendation in a 2018 blight report which includes keeping a vacant property registration, issuing quality of life tickets for violations like overgrown weeds and trash and asking the county to create a housing court.
This approach is similar to that of the late Judge Ray Pianka (Cleveland OH Housing Court) who refused to allow evictions by landlords who fail to come to court to answer charges on any of their properties.
To view the article, please click here.
To view the new ordinance, please click here.