The Placerville City Council on Oct. 28 directed staff to draft an ordinance establishing nonresidential property maintenance standards intended to address neglected commercial and vacant buildings.

Carol Kendrick, the city's Director of Development Services, told the council the proposal would create clear, enforceable standards for outdoor storage, landscaping, trash and debris, building repairs, fences, graffiti removal and special requirements for securing and maintaining vacant properties. Kendrick said the proposal is intended as proactive nuisance abatement to prevent deterioration, protect public safety and support downtown revitalization; she emphasized the item would not create a vacancy tax, which would require voter approval.

Building official Greg Horstfall and development staff discussed enforcement options, including maintaining an inventory or registry of vacant commercial properties so staff can contact absentee owners and help market available space to prospective tenants. Public commenters and councilmembers said they support tools that address safety hazards and long-standing eyesores, but some councilmembers expressed caution about mandatory registries and said they wanted to see the draft details before deciding on enforcement mechanisms.

The council's direction is for staff to prepare draft ordinance language and return to the council for further review.

Provenance: Topic introduced in staff presentation at 33:03 and concluded with council direction at about 43:57.