Code enforcement seeks zoning specialist and outlines demolition and brownfield activity

Mike Durkin, Code Enforcement, briefed council on housing, code enforcement and demolition activity and requested one additional demolition enforcement officer and one dedicated zoning specialist to handle rising complaints and permit volume.

Durkin said his office averages 20–25 C‑Click Fix calls per day and that the zoning specialist on staff is overwhelmed. He presented permit revenue collected since March (about $10,620 in permit fees) as an indicator of workload and noted the department is rewriting the city’s redevelopment code, a process expected to take about a year and to be brought to council for adoption.

On demolition, Durkin said the department completed about 38 demolitions last year and expects roughly 35–40 this year; he estimated fewer than 200 structures currently meet the criteria for demolition. Council and staff discussed a recent county brownfield grant that supported demolition in multiple municipalities; Durkin said land banks are eligible for that grant and the county used it in cooperation with the city to accelerate certain demo projects.

Durkin and councilmembers also discussed rehabilitation versus demolition strategies; staff said the department refers properties to nonprofit developers (e.g., YNDC and B&OI) and will try to broaden partners for rehabs when feasible, but many structures remain fire‑damaged or require demolition.

Council asked whether any direct fiscal exposure remains from county grants; Durkin said the city’s involvement is generally limited to administrative supports such as title searches, with the grant funding demolition contracts themselves.

The Committee accepted the update and thanked staff; council members asked staff to continue pursuing rehab opportunities while using grants to address the most hazardous structures.