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County debates coordinated approach to blight enforcement and introduces new township blight officer
Summary
Commissioners discussed recurring blight and zoning enforcement issues—including a two‑year unresolved Shady Shores fire site—and directed staff to convene townships and legal partners to explore a coordinated enforcement authority; a new Mills Township blight officer, Steve Yucas, introduced himself during public comment.
Commissioners spent substantial time on an added-business item about ordinance enforcement after multiple townships reported repeated complaints about roads, blight, and individuals living in campers. The discussion centered on gaps between township enforcement capacity, jurisdictional limits, and the county’s ability to provide timely legal follow-through.
At the meeting a planning and zoning official, Ryan Verer, explained that some enforcement tasks are township responsibilities and that the county’s role is limited in certain zoning and blight cases. Commissioners said protracted cases—like a Shady Shores property that burned and is now populated despite being declared non-livable—have consumed significant staff and legal time. One commissioner asked whether the prosecuting attorney’s office could resume more active involvement; county staff noted geographic distance and capacity challenges.
Several commissioners suggested convening a stakeholder meeting that would include township ordinance officers, the prosecutor’s office, district court representatives and county staff to outline an efficient enforcement model. Staff proposed the concept of a civil‑infraction authority or an interlocal agreement that townships could join and fund jointly to create a dedicated enforcement capacity; the board agreed to place the topic on the committee-of-the-whole agenda next week to continue the conversation.
During general public comment, Steve Yucas introduced himself as the new Mills Township blight officer and said he had begun site visits and was "cautiously optimistic" about early progress. Commissioners praised the idea of regional coordination and asked staff to explore practical next steps, including whether a local attorney might be contracted for court work and how the land bank might assist cleanup efforts.
Next steps: staff will arrange a stakeholder meeting and add the issue to the committee-of-the-whole agenda for further discussion and potential formation of a coordinated enforcement model.
