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Council member urges stricter deadlines for long‑vacant properties
Summary
Councilman Aaron Babcock raised concerns about long‑vacant and severely deteriorated properties (noting Ditto Street and South Defiance), urging a timeline for rehabilitation or removal. Council discussed use of Fulton County Land Bank demolition funding and enforcement tools such as neighbor complaints and "nuisance signs."
A council member called on Archbold officials to tighten enforcement on long‑vacant properties during the May 4 meeting.
Councilman Aaron Babcock asked Council to consider establishing a timeline for how long a property could remain vacant before the owner would be required to rehabilitate, sell or remove uninhabitable structures, citing vacant properties on Ditto Street and South Defiance. Councilwoman Karla Ball responded that a current vacant‑property ordinance exists but questioned whether it sufficiently motivates owners to act. Councilman Gary Dominique noted funding is available through the Fulton County Land Bank for deeply dilapidated properties, and Zoning Inspector Grant Schaffner said neighbor complaints and testimony carry weight when the Village must pursue court action.
Mayor Brad Grime asked Council to consider using "nuisance signs" similar to practices in Defiance to both encourage property owners to act and inform the public that the Village is addressing the issue. The minutes record no formal vote or change to the existing ordinance; neighbors were encouraged to vocalize concerns to the Village to strengthen enforcement options.
The council did not adopt new enforcement timelines at the meeting; the discussion identified possible tools and funding but left any regulatory changes for future consideration.
