Planning department proposes registries, code updates and fee changes; $25,000 grant awarded for historic standards

Sandra, the city’s planning lead, presented the Planning Department’s 2026 operating budget and program priorities on Nov. 13. She said the department’s overall budget will look similar to 2025 with a few reductions (uniforms, cell phones, office supplies) and a limited increase in travel and training.

Sandra described several code and regulatory efforts ahead. She said the department will add a vacant‑building registry and short‑ and long‑term rental registries to improve code enforcement’s ability to contact property owners. "So when we need to reach out to the property owner, normally, we're dealing with the renter," she said, explaining the registry would require owners to provide contact information that City Works would retain.

On contractor oversight, Sandra proposed removing the annual contractor registration requirement from the building code, saying it created administrative burdens and did not deter unpermitted bad actors. She said engineering staff will still require licensing and bonding for right‑of‑way permits so public‑way work remains regulated.

Sandra also outlined recent department accomplishments and planning work: a zoning code and map update with an upcoming council amendment, completion of a Southeast focus area plan, and an in‑house South Sandusky focus area effort in 2026 that will include work from Ohio State studio students. She reported the department was awarded a $25,000 grant to update the historic district architectural standards and said updates to the property maintenance code are underway (noting parts derive from the International Property Maintenance Code, which is copyrighted and requires permission for reuse).

The committee asked follow‑up questions about registry administration and staffing; Sandra said registries would be online, consolidated on one form and integrated into City Works to avoid paper processing.