Sidney, OH, reading, review process for establishing vacant property registration program underway

Sidney, OH: City Council has been presented with a draft for establishing a vacant property registration program, based on discussions begun in 2017 and assessment of the programs of other cities attempting to mitigate blight.
 

The draft lays out a timeline for registration of properties vacant for at least 90 days, and for those to be registered within 30 days of notification by the City; with annual registration to occur for prolonged vacancy.


Registration would require current contact information; an owner agent to be listed, that resides within 50 miles of the City; interior and exterior inspections of the property, by the City; for maintenance of the property to remain in compliance with City Code during the duration of the vacancy status; and for a plan to be presented and approved for returning the property to occupied status.


Vacant residential property registration fees were proposed as $200 for the first year, and double each subsequent year to a cap of $3,200 on the fifth year and each year thereafter.


Vacant commercial property registration fees were proposed as $400 for the first year, and double each subsequent year to a cap of $6,400 on the fifth year and each year thereafter.


The first reading for adoption of the ordinance is planned for June 25, with the second reading currently planned for July 23; though revisions to the draft presented or requests for further review could push those dates back further.

 

 

 

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