Plain City reviews proposed property maintenance code, staff position and tool-lending program

Village Planner Derek Hutchinson told council the proposed property maintenance code would move enforcement provisions out of Planning & Zoning and into Part Thirteen (Building Code) of the Codified Ordinances to centralize enforcement. Hutchinson identified common violations the code would cover — tall grass, parking on grass, inoperable vehicles stored outside, outdoor storage and debris, peeling or chipping exterior paint, and structural damage — and described examples that would not be violations, such as faded paint or mismatched roof shingles.

Hutchinson outlined the complaint-driven and proactive inspection approach: inspections follow complaints or routine inspections, violation notices would be sent to property owners, compliance timeframes would vary by violation type (for example, shorter windows for tall grass), and noncompliance could lead to court filing and Village-authorized abatement. Hutchinson said the Village may recover abatement costs and, if unpaid, place the cost as a lien on the property tax bill. He said appeals of violation notices would be heard by the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Council discussed enforcement mechanics and penalties. Hutchinson said per-day fines are permitted by the code but rarely used except for extreme or persistent violations; structural issues such as broken windows or garage doors would be evaluated with the Village’s contracted building department provider.

Staff also presented a proposed staff position to administer the program. Haley Lupton said the position has been advertised and would report to the Village Planner; Hutchinson said the new employee would focus on proactive routine inspections once trained. Current Zoning Specialist Colin Powers handles many code-enforcement duties now but, Hutchinson said, existing workload limits proactive inspections.

Hutchinson described a planned tool lending program to support residents in meeting maintenance requirements: tools are ordered and will be stored in an existing shed behind the Municipal Building; a web-based reservation system will require a waiver and a copy of a driver’s license; the program is for Plain City residents only and will initially operate during normal Village hours with potential Saturday hours in the future. Staff raised liability and inspection needs, and Director of Law Paul-Michael La Fayette advised that borrowers may not turn the rented equipment over to others, particularly minors. The council expressed unanimous support for the tool lending program.

Hutchinson said Communications Manager Chase Evans will coordinate an educational campaign tied to the code and programs, and Mr. Lewis suggested the outreach involve local contractors and hands-on workshops.

The session did not adopt the code; council discussion provided direction and expressed support for staffing and program development. Staff will return with proposed ordinance language, staffing details, and implementation plans.