Bay City HDC discusses enforcement options for neglected historic house; staffing and follow-up emphasized

Members of the Bay City Historic District Commission spent a substantial portion of the meeting discussing enforcement options for a long-neglected historic house at Center and Johnson and the commission's capacity to follow up on approved work.

Commission members said the property has a history of incomplete repairs and contractor disputes. One commission member summarized research suggesting courts can establish a receivership to manage rents and repairs, or authorize local government access to make repairs and place a lien on the property to recover costs. That member read from a preservation-law handbook and said those options have administrative and capital implications for a municipality.

Terry, the commission's historic preservation…