Community Development staff presented the city’s existing municipal code provisions governing vacant tenant spaces and signage, citing Municipal Code section 21.24.0.12 and explaining current enforcement tools (board up for safety, remove signs, abate blight) (Community Development Director Josh/Omar Deliboy).

Councilmembers and residents described several long‑vacant restaurant properties where removed signage and untreated plywood created visible eyesores. Several councilmembers favored an informal cooperative approach—asking owners to paint boarding to match building colors—rather than an immediate code change, while staff said they would return with a code amendment if owners do not cooperate.

Staff noted a low city commercial vacancy rate overall but identified a few chronic problem properties where code enforcement and owner outreach have been required. The council directed staff to continue owner outreach, ask owners to paint boarding where appropriate, and return with a proposed ordinance only if voluntary cooperation fails.

What happens next: Staff will continue monitoring problem properties, request painted boarding where appropriate, and prepare a code amendment for council consideration if owners fail to comply.