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Council authorizes abatement in nuisance case and sets payment plan for vacant-building fee appeal
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Summary
The council authorized abatement for remaining nuisance conditions at 1079 Western Ave. N. (6–1) and approved an amended plan allowing payment of a vacant-building assessment at 1339 Van Buren over five years (7–0).
In legislative hearing business, the council approved several enforcement and billing recommendations from hearing officers.
On RLHSAO 26-11 (1079 Western Ave. N.), the hearing officer recommended the council find the nuisance was not abated with respect to pallets in the backyard and authorize the Department of Safety and Inspections to abate. The resident testified the pallets had been removed prior to inspection; council members discussed inspection timing and potential inspection fees. The council adopted the hearing officer’s recommendation to authorize abatement, with a 6–1 vote (Councilmember Buie opposed).
On an appeal of a vacant-building fee at 1339 Van Buren (vacant-building program year two assessment), appellant Beth Jackson described a major insurance loss and lengthy remediation. After discussing the timeline, councilmembers amended the hearing officer’s recommendation to require payment of the assessment over five years and adopted the amendment and recommendation unanimously (7–0).
Next steps: For the nuisance abatement, DSI will verify conditions before dispatching abatement crews; if a trip is made when the problem has been cleared, the owner may be assessed inspection/trip fees and eventual assessment if unpaid. For the vacant-building fee, the assessment will be structured for five annual payments as approved by the council.
