Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community Development reports demolitions, permitting uptick and nine responses to comprehensive-plan RFP
Summary
City community development staff told council they are awaiting environmental clearances for two demolitions, reported steady permitting and code-enforcement work, and said nine firms submitted proposals for the city’s comprehensive plan; staff narrowed the responses to three finalists and expects to recommend a contractor soon.
Community development staff updated council on inspections, demolition activity, permitting and planning work and said the department received nine proposals in response to its request for qualifications for the citywide comprehensive plan.
Sarah (Community Development staff) said the department has two demolition projects in process — one of them a fire-damaged structure on Manor Avenue and another at a former US Lawns building on Liberty Street — and both projects are awaiting Ohio EPA and Lake County Health Department asbestos evaluations and approvals before abatement and demolition may proceed. Staff said two residential parcels have been identified for the city’s demolition program and are moving through condemnation and remediation steps.
The department reported 208 permits issued at the end of last year and 77 so far this year, steady code-enforcement caseloads with reinspections and some court citations, and continued activity on vacant-property registrations and rental-registration work. Staff also outlined a new weeds-and-grass program that will send a courtesy letter to property owners and provide a 7-day mow window before the city hires a contractor; a typical contractor charge plus administrative cost was cited at about $108 and unpaid invoices will be turned over to the county auditor for assessment.
On planning, staff said nine firms responded to the RFQ/RFP for the comprehensive plan; three firms were interviewed and staff expects to pick a firm shortly. Staff also announced planner Selena passed the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) exam and is now a certified planner.
Council members thanked staff for steady work and noted the department’s handling of code enforcement has reduced resident complaints in recent years. Staff said site-plan work is ongoing for projects in Grand River Walk and noted upcoming openings at Wingstop, Crowley’s and Jimmy John’s.
