Published: November 14, 2007 08:14 am      

Condemn and demolish

Richmond creating panel to review vacant housing

The Richmond City Commission adopted an ordinance Tuesday night creating a legal framework for the city to condemn and demolish vacant housing structures deemed to be blighted and deteriorated.

The ordinance authorizes the appointment of a five-member Vacant Property Review Commission to evaluate buildings brought to its attention by the city’s codes enforcement director.

Prior to review by the commission, owners are to be notified of city code violations and given time to bring property into compliance.

If corrective action is not taken, the commission may notify the owner of the city’s intent to condemn the property and again list the correction action required to avoid condemnation. If unacceptable conditions remain 90 after the notice, condemnation procedures may begin.

Just the appearance of blighted and deteriorated buildings can reduce the value of adjacent property, according to the ordinance. Such structures can be an “attractive nuisance” and safety hazard for children, attract vermin such as rodents, increase the danger of fires and fall into use by criminals.

Circuit court action would determine compensation for the owners of condemned property.

The city commission also moved to change the composition of its Advisory Board for Police Community Relations.

The nine-member panel will now have one member, instead of two, representing the fields of social services, corrections, education or related field. The number of at-large members from the community was increased from three to four. One of the at-large members is to be a “youth 17 years of age or older.”

The commission also includes a member from the legal profession, one from the human relations/resources field and two sworn officers (one detective, one patrol). The police chief and city manager are ex officio members.

The commission approved the appointment Catherine Eaves to replace Robert Sadler as the board’s police patrol representative.

A payment of $476,458 to D.W. Wilburn, contractor for the city’s family aquatic center, was approved. Only one more major payment is due on the project which is substantially complete, said City Manager David Evans.

City officials walked through the facility Thursday to check a list of specifications. The $5.4-million-center in the Lake Reba Recreational Complex is set to open Memorial Day weekend 2008.

Payment of $267,482 to the Allen Co. for work performed on the construction of a $1.4 million road in the industrial park was approved.

The commission heard first reading of an ordinance expressing its intent to annex, at owner Mike Land’s request, property adjacent to the city that was formerly used by Hillcrest Garden Center. If approved on second reading, the request will go to the planning commission for a zoning recommendation.

Second reading of an ordinance for the voluntary annexation, with a zoning or R-1a, of a 0.45-acre lot at 1265 Barnes Mill Road owned by Maxine Seyfrit, was approved.

First reading of building plan review fees was heard. The city current charges of flat fee of $70 for the reviews, regardless of a building’s size, said Joe Lillis, codes enforcement director. If adopted, future fees would be based on square footage.

The commission approved the retirement, after 20 years of service, of Assistant Fire Chief Pearl Cowan. Commissioner Bill Strong said he would like to see current members of department be considered for Cowan’s replacement, which was once customary. “I am a great believer in growing your own,” said Mayor Pro Tem Robert Blythe, who presided in place of Mayor Connie Lawson, who was the only member absent.

As members made comments prior to adjournment, Commissioner Mike Brewer expressed displeasure regarding payment of $17,000 to a Lawrenceburg firm for work on emergency lights, sirens and mobile data terminals in city police cruisers. Such work was previously done by a local business also used by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Madison County Emergency Medical Service and the Berea Police Department, he said.

While the out-of-town vendor may do the work more quickly, Brewer said he wished the city would patronize local vendors.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.