Plain City planners propose exterior property maintenance code and recommend enforcement staffing

Village Planner Derek Hutchinson presented a draft property maintenance code at the March 4 work session, describing a proposal focused on exterior property maintenance and recommending that the code be codified in Part Thirteen of the Codified Ordinances (Building Code).

Hutchinson said a number of details remain to be determined, including defined terms and whether enforcement should be criminal or civil. He recommended hiring a code enforcement officer to manage complaints and abatement actions because the Village’s existing staff capacity is limited.

Council Member T. Arnold asked what resources would be available to residents who could not afford abatement costs. Hutchinson said the Village currently has none but that other communities use Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and volunteer groups to assist with abatement; he also mentioned community workdays as one option.

The council discussed the challenge of enforcing snow removal on sidewalks and noted the practical difficulty of legally compelling property owners in some cases. Hutchinson reiterated that public education would be an important part of any implementation, and that a proposed code enforcement officer could help coordinate abatements and outreach.

No enforcement approach or penalties were adopted at the meeting. Staff will refine the draft code language and consider enforcement staffing and public-education plans before returning to Council for further action.