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Cloverdale council adopts vacant-commercial-property ordinance after brief amendment debate
Summary
After a short debate over additional purpose language, the council voted 4-1 to adopt an ordinance creating Chapter 8.4 regulating vacant commercial properties to address blight and economic impacts.
Cloverdale — The City Council adopted an ordinance adding Chapter 8.4 to the Cloverdale Municipal Code to regulate vacant commercial properties after a discussion about strengthening the ordinance’s purpose language.
The ordinance’s objective is to establish an enforcement program requiring maintenance of vacant commercial premises to protect public health, safety and welfare and to limit blight and economic loss. Council voted to waive the second reading and adopt the ordinance; the motion passed 4-1.
Nut graf: Council debated proposed additional language from Council Member Marquez that expanded the purpose and intent to explicitly cite lost economic opportunity, job creation and reduced tax revenue; the council majority approved the ordinance as introduced and adopted it at second reading.
City staff explained the procedural options: because Council Member Marquez proposed new purpose wording, adoption required reintroduction if the council wanted to add it now; several council members said they preferred to proceed without the amendment and adopt the ordinance quickly. The mayor summarized the choice to keep the ordinance moving and adopt it on the second reading.
The council then voted on a motion to waive the second reading and adopt the ordinance entitled "An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Cloverdale adding Chapter 8.4 vacant commercial property regulations to the Cloverdale Municipal Code." The motion was made by Council Member Morgenstern and seconded by Vice Mayor Wheeler; the roll-call vote was 4 in favor, 1 opposed.
Ending: The ordinance now becomes part of the municipal code on the schedule set by state law (30 days after adoption unless otherwise specified). Council members said they will monitor enforcement and return with implementation details and outreach.
