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Council tables vacant/foreclosure property registration ordinance for language changes and realtor outreach
Summary
A proposed ordinance to require registration of vacant and foreclosure properties was tabled after council members and realtor representatives raised concerns that the 30-day vacancy definition could capture homes on the market or family estates; council asked staff to workshop clearer language and consult local realtors.
The Pekin City Council voted to table an ordinance that would create a foreclosure and vacant-property registration program requiring owners or mortgagees to provide contact information and to maintain properties.
Staff said the proposed ordinance is intended to identify appropriate contacts for properties in foreclosure or long-term vacancy so the city is not left maintaining blighted parcels at taxpayer expense. Finance staff proposed a new line-item account to receive registration revenue to offset enforcement, and staff indicated the program would require service-provider proposals to administer the registry.
Council members and representatives of the local real-estate community raised concerns that the ordinance’s definition of "vacant" (30 days) and required $350 registration fee could unintentionally capture properties that are actively for sale but being maintained, or family situations (estates, cleanouts) that take longer than 30 days. Council discussed potential exceptions for properties actively listed for sale or for parcels that are maintained and have no code violations.
After discussion, council voted to table the ordinance to the October 28 meeting and asked staff and the city attorney to workshop clearer definitions and to reach out to local realtors for input.
Council action: ordinance tabled for revision and stakeholder outreach.
