Perry council pauses final vote on international property maintenance code after residents urge safeguards for historic downtown

The City of Perry council resumed a public hearing June 24 on Ordinance 10-54, the city’s proposed adoption of the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, and then decided to convene a workshop for further review before taking final action.

Council members and staff discussed the ordinance’s intent to set standards for property condition, utilities and the condemnation of structures unfit for human occupancy. A staff speaker said the proposed code would give the city clearer standards and tools for code enforcement; the draft also delegates fee-setting for permits and inspections to future council resolution.

The hearing drew lengthy public comment from downtown property owners and prospective investors who said they support stronger standards for public safety but asked for implementation safeguards and clearer assistance for owners restoring historic buildings. One downtown property owner who identified himself as Dustin described protracted insurance and engineering obstacles after hurricane damage and said that, while he "agree[s] with this," he worried the ordinance could result in demolition or financial hardship rather than restoration unless the city pairs enforcement with assistance and education.

City staff and council members repeatedly said the ordinance’s enforcement steps are a process, not an immediate condemnation: "Do we have any buildings in town that would automatically go on the condemnation list? No. No. Not immediately," a city staff member (Jamie) said in the hearing. Council members emphasized the stated goal is compliance rather than demolition and noted the city already has procedures for imminent-safety hazards.

Council and public speakers raised these recurring concerns: how the code would affect small, nonwealthy property owners; whether existing historic downtown buildings could meet modern code requirements; whether the city should offer concessions or grant assistance for projects that cannot fully meet current codes; and the need to train inspectors, contractors and engineers in restoration of older masonry structures.

Rather than adopt the ordinance on final reading, the council voted to schedule a public workshop to review specific provisions, enforcement steps, fee-setting and potential assistance or concessions for historic properties. Council agreed on an evening workshop in the week of July 7 and later settled on a Thursday meeting at 4:00 p.m. to walk through the draft code with building-inspection staff and other experts.

Why it matters: adopting the International Property Maintenance Code would give Perry standardized language and tools to address dilapidated structures and public-safety hazards, but business owners and residents told the council the city should pair any new enforcement tools with clear guidance, education and possible relief options for historic rehabilitations.

Ending: The ordinance was not adopted at the June 24 meeting; the council asked staff to prepare a workshop packet with the draft code and examples of how enforcement, fees and financial/concessional options might be applied to downtown historic properties.