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City sends vacancy-warning letters to 12 commercial properties; six have responded, officials say
Summary
The city reported it mailed notices to 12 vacant commercial properties under a vacancy ordinance; six owners have replied and a final reminder will be sent to the remainder before fines or other code enforcement steps.
City staff told the council on March 18 that letters were sent to 12 commercial properties identified under a new vacancy ordinance; six property owners have responded, staff said, and officials plan a final reminder before pursuing enforcement steps outlined in the ordinance.
Ally Carter, a city official leading the effort, said responses varied: some properties were quickly brought into compliance, some owners requested waivers, and others requested additional time to market or rehabilitate units. “For the folks who responded, it depends on the nature of the response,” Carter said. “Some we found were actually compliant. Some of the others requested a waiver.”
Councilors asked how the city would enforce a penalty schedule described in the paperwork — a $100 per vacant unit per day fine was cited in the motion response — and whether financial hardship would be considered for waiver requests. Staff said waiver guidelines were included with the mailing and that financial hardship is an allowable reason; enforcement would follow standard code‑violation procedures and could become a lien on the property if warranted.
Councilors praised the outreach, saying the program appears to be prompting activity and encouraging owners to bring properties back to market.
