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Petoskey adopts tougher dangerous‑building ordinance to speed abatement
Summary
Council adopted a revised dangerous‑building ordinance giving staff stronger enforcement tools, including abatement procedures and mechanisms to recover city expenses through tax collection; council requested a public web landing page explaining reporting and enforcement steps.
Petoskey City Council adopted on second reading a revised dangerous‑building ordinance aimed at accelerating code enforcement for buildings that pose risks to public safety, health or welfare.
City Manager Shane Horn and staff told council the ordinance strengthens the city’s code‑enforcement toolbox by clarifying procedures for abatement and adding a mechanism to recover city expenses — including through the tax collection process when property owners do not respond. Horn said the city had already issued a number of vacant‑building notices and that the new ordinance will help staff address severely blighted properties faster.
Why it matters: Council members and public commenters said the ordinance responds to long‑standing concerns about vacant and deteriorating downtown properties. Several residents described multiple vacant downtown parcels and urged a faster remedy.
Public input and council direction: Residents (including Denise Cruz and Amy Jansons) described concerns about downtown vacancy and urged stronger action. Councilmember Walker asked staff and legal counsel to create a clear, user‑friendly web page (under Planning & Zoning or Ordinances) with reporting steps and an FAQ to help residents use the new tools. Horn said staff would prepare that resource and that the city has already begun issuing vacant building notices as part of the enforcement effort.
Outcome: On motion, the council adopted the ordinance by unanimous voice/roll‑call vote (5–0). The city clerk will incorporate the ordinance into city code and staff will prepare the suggested website landing page and FAQ to guide residents through reporting and the enforcement process.
Next steps: Implementation will include ongoing issuance of notices for vacant properties and a public education effort so residents understand how to report buildings of concern.
