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Oak Ridge council approves first reading of ordinance adding slum-clearance enforcement tools
Summary
Council approved on first reading an ordinance adding a Chapter 7 "slum clearance" to the city property-maintenance code to allow additional enforcement tools, including placing reimbursement costs on property tax bills; staff emphasized due-process protections and applicability to residential and commercial properties.
Oak Ridge City Council on first reading adopted an ordinance to add a new Chapter 7 (titled "slum clearance") to Title 13 of the city code, giving the city an additional administrative enforcement mechanism to address unsafe or unsanitary dwellings and a process to recover remediation costs via the property tax roll.
City staff explained the ordinance supplements existing 'unfit-structure' authority and does not replace due process: the ordinance establishes administrative procedures and appeals rather than immediate judicial action, and it applies to both residential and commercial properties. Staff told council that budget and finance reviewed the approach and supported adding the mechanism to allow the city to place reimbursement costs as liens on the property tax bill or pursue collection through other means.
Council members sought clarification about how and when the city would place costs on the tax roll versus suing for collection, and staff said the city could choose to file a lien or place the cost on the tax bill after providing administrative notice and opportunity to appeal. Council member Smith noted the ordinance includes appeal options and emphasized that enforcement would not occur without due process. The ordinance passed on first reading by voice vote.
The ordinance text references state slum-clearance provisions; staff said the city had been aware of portions of the state law but wanted to adopt the mechanism to collect reimbursement more clearly through local code. The ordinance as presented does not include an immediate implementation date beyond approval on first reading; subsequent readings or additional administrative rules will specify operational details.
Council approved the item on first reading; additional clarification and potential administrative policies are expected as staff refines implementation.
