Cold Water council introduces contentious property‑maintenance overhaul after hours of public comment

The Cold Water City Council voted March 9 to introduce ordinance 885, a comprehensive amendment to the city's International Property Maintenance Code that would add a make‑safe/demolish procedure and a hearing officer pathway for properties deemed dangerous.

City attorney Amanda Bole told the council the update codifies an existing state housing‑law mechanism designed to address long‑abandoned or structurally dangerous residential properties while adding more notice, extensions and opportunities for interested parties to appear. Bole said the aim is to provide "a lot of due process" and tools for cases where owners cannot be located, are outside Michigan or properties have languished through probate.

The ordinance as introduced would allow a qualified, independent hearing officer to evaluate properties and forward recommendations to city council, which would make a final determination. Bole said the process could still take a year or two in many cases and that demolition remained a last resort: "The intent is always to have those buildings improved, not demolished."

Speakers during an extended public comment period urged caution. Crystal Rose said parents and children feel unprotected by current responses to harassment and called for clearer policies and proactive intervention rather than code changes that risk displacing residents: "If officers need clearer policies on harassment involving minors, fix it. If there is a gap in handling digital harassment, then close it." Rochelle and other commenters urged the council to add links on the city website to grants and volunteer resources (USDA Rural Development, Michigan State housing programs, state land bank grants) to help homeowners make safety repairs instead of relying on demolition powers.

Landlords and other residents warned the proposed framework could be applied unevenly. Carol Hemker, who owns rental properties in Cold Water, said she supports bringing unsafe properties up to code but worried the ordinance could be used to remove long‑term tenants and small landlords from their homes. Mike Parker and Melissa King described the risk to older or low‑income residents who may lack funds to make repairs.

Council members framed the vote as an introduction; passage was scheduled for a future meeting. Mayor Prom Hazelbaker and staff said the ordinance will return for formal adoption on March 30, allowing additional review and opportunity to provide copies and answers to resident questions. Amanda Bole emphasized the city has used court demolition processes in rare instances but argued the proposed ordinance adds notice and flexibility in cases where judicial remedies are limited.

Next steps: council will receive the full ordinance and supporting materials ahead of a March 30 public hearing and possible vote. Public commenters asked the council to include grant‑linking language and clearer hardship protections in the final draft.