April 29, 2004

Council reviews Village housing code

At its meeting April 19, Village Council reviewed how the Village, through its ordinances, can get abandoned or neglected homes rehabbed and on the market.

The Village planner, Phil Hawkey, reported that sections 1470 and 1490 of the Village ordinances give the Village authority to correct deficiencies in housing stock.

The Village has the authority to “force the repair or demolition of buildings that pose a hazard” or “cause blight,” Hawkey said in a memo to Council. Hawkey suggested the Village amend its ordinances to require a public hearing if the Village decides to raze a house because it is in very poor condition. “This further protects the rights of the property owner and assures that the procedure has a public forum and review,” he wrote.

Hawkey also told Council that the Village has tools to correct “situations where dwellings lack basic health and safety needs of occupants.” While the Village can order property owners to make neglected homes safe, it “does not have the authority to make the repairs and recover costs,” Hawkey said.

For the last few years, Council members have kept their eye on abandoned homes, saying that getting neglected residences rehabbed and resold is one mechanism to increase available housing and clean up neighborhoods. Earlier this year Council asked Hawkey to review the Village code to determine what legal authority the Village has to address abandoned homes.

In 2002, an ad hoc housing group found that there were 10 abandoned homes in town.

Village Manager Rob Hillard said that the Village will be able to better enforce the Village regulations cited by Hawkey, when the Village hires a part-time assistant Village planner. That person, who Hillard said would be hired by June, will be responsible for code enforcement.

“There are buildings out there that are polluting neighborhoods,” Hillard said.

At Council’s request, Hillard said that Village staff would begin issuing to Council quarterly reports on the Village’s efforts to enforce the zoning code and other Village regulations.

“You’ll see results, I guarantee it,” he said.

In other Council business:

• Council discussed whether it would allow vendors to sell food at Gaunt Park during the annual 4th of July fireworks display, sponsored by the Yellow Springs Lions Club. Last year, Council agreed to a request from the Lions Club to require other groups selling items during the fireworks show to share their proceeds with the Lions, to help pay for the fireworks.

Ruth Bayless, a member of the First Baptist Church’s Building Finance Committee, told Council that the committee would like to sell drinks and hot dogs during the display. She asked whether Council was going to put a policy in place about vending during the 4th of July.

Council member George Pitstick, who is also the president of the Lions Club, said he was concerned that the Lions Club would not be able to raise enough money to pay for the fireworks, if other vendors can take home their profits.

Council said it needed more time to consider the issue. Council president Tony Arnett said that it appeared Council was interested in creating a policy about vending at Gaunt Park on the 4th of July.

• Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring as surplus one of the Village’s rental properties. The action is part of a process allowing the Village to sell the property, 1274 State Route 343, to the tenants, Jamie Sharp and J.J. Yates.

• Council unanimously approved a resolution accepting a $17,900 bid from M-E Companies of Cincinnati to prepare the engineering design to replace a water line on South Walnut Street. M-E’s bid was the lowest of the four the Village received.

This year, the Village will replace the water line on South Walnut between Dayton and Elm. M-E’s design work will also incorporate the rest of South Walnut, from Elm to Limestone, where the Village will also upgrade the water line in the future.

• Former Council member Joe Lewis expressed concern that more people are dumping brush along roadways in town. “You have a responsibility to identify where public dumping is occurring” and to post signs saying that it is illegal, Lewis told Council.

Hillard urged people to inform the Village, by calling 767-3401, of where dumping is occurring. He also noted that the soon-to-be-hired assistant Village planner will help enforce ordinances prohibiting dumping.

• Melanie Brammer of the Greene County Department of Development gave a presentation on the department’s community development programs. The programs include home repair, home-buyer education, revolving loans and rehabilitation. For more information, call 562-5642.

• Based on a recommendation from the Village staff, Council unanimously agreed not to object to requests to renew liquor permits from the seven businesses holding permits: the Dayton Street Gulch, The Emporium, Ye Olde Trail Tavern, Peach’s Grill, Pettit’s BP, Speedway and The Winds.

• Council reviewed a report from Hillard on the Village budget from the first quarter. Hillard said that the budget, including the Village utilities, is in line with projections.

• Council also reviewed a draft 10-year franchise agreement with Time Warner Cable to provide cable TV to Yellow Springs.

• Council unanimously agreed to appoint Doug Bailey to the Village Environmental Commission.

In addition, there is one opening on the Environmental Commission. To apply, send a letter of interest to the clerk of Council, Deborah Benning, at 100 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, or dbenning@yso.com.

—Robert Mihalek