Report Prepared by: Ellie Hamm, Intern, Planning Division, Scott McBride, Acting City Manager.
Title
SUBJECT: Review and Discussion on a Potential Ordinance Regulating Vacant and/or Blighted Buildings
REPORT IN BRIEF
Review of ordinances from cities in California that set specific guidelines for vacant and blighted buildings. This includes specifications for safety hazards, security, and maintenance protocol.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only. Should the City Council want to take further action a separate agenda item will be prepared for consideration and possible action.
Body
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Downtown and Economic Development (A.3)
Public Works and City Beautification (C.2)
DISCUSSION
As part of the City Council 2023-2024 Goals and Priorities the goals "explore citywide vacant building ordinance options" (Downtown and Economic Development, a.3) and to "explore vacant building ordinance" (Public Works and City Beautification, c.2) were approved by the City Council. This is clearly an important goal, as it is mentioned twice in the Council's Goals and Priorities.
Many cities across California have adopted ordinances to deal with the issues related to h vacant and blighted buildings. Those include public safety, homeless inhabitation, graffiti, and disturbance of community aesthetic. Staff has reviewed a few ordinances which are attached to this administrative report.
In summary these are noted in the sample ordnances:
The City of Fresno has adopted an ordinance that defines a maintenance protocol to be followed as well as security measures and the removal of safety hazards.
In the City of El Monte, all vacant buildings must be boarded up within a specific timeframe of their becoming vacant. If the property owner does not do this in a timely matter, the city will do it for them in exchange for a fee. They have also implemented a monitoring fee for vacant nuisance properties.
The City of Richmond has a code that must be followed by the proper...
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