Council reviews proposed vacant-property registration and short‑term rental code changes

Council reviewed two related ordinances intended to update the village’s housing and property rules. A presenter said Ordinance 30 would establish registration for vacant residential, commercial and industrial buildings to ensure public-safety access and to encourage owners to remediate long‑vacant properties. "It's a way to kind of help make sure that, for safety's sake, that we have access to these things ... and that maybe it's a way to help prompt the property owner to actually do something with the property," the presenter said.

Ordinance 31 would amend the property‑maintenance code and specifically address short‑term rental/Airbnb‑style units so building and fire personnel can inspect units for basic safety requirements. Council members noted the village previously had a similar program that had “fallen fallow” and said the update is intended to modernize enforcement and include short‑term rentals.

Council questioned conflicting language in a draft parking section that appeared to allow one commercial vehicle to be parked on residential property "or on the street." Members asked staff to remove any wording that would unintentionally allow continued street parking of multiple commercial vehicles; council member Valerie said she would revise the draft and circulate updates this weekend and Monday.

A council member also noted a fee/penalty inconsistency in the draft (the penalty for failing to register was shown as $100 and could be less than the registration fee). The presenter agreed to add clarifying language that penalties are assessed in addition to any outstanding registration fee.

Procedural status: council moved to place Ordinances 30 and 31 on the table for the next council meeting so members can review the revised language and supporting materials.