Lancaster opens public hearing on adding property-maintenance rules to unsafe-buildings code; resident voices support

The Lancaster Town Board opened a public hearing on a proposed local law to amend chapter 115 of the Town Code (unsafe buildings) to add property-maintenance provisions and invited residents to comment.

Town clerk Diane Terranova read the legal notice and explained the hearing process before the board formally opened the hearing by motion and roll call. The stated purpose of the proposed law is to provide residents the opportunity to express concerns or support on matters that affect public health and neighborhood conditions.

Resident Heidi Young of 11 Graceway said she welcomed the proposed change and called the draft ordinance "fair," saying it would help prevent the neighborhood problems she has experienced without targeting or taking advantage of anyone. "I appreciate the effort that's gone into making this a reality for us," she told the board.

After Ms. Young spoke, the board moved to close the public hearing; the motion carried on roll call. No opposing speakers were recorded during the hearing.

The text of the proposed local law was read on the record as a local-law amendment to the Town of Lancaster code, chapter 115 (unsafe buildings), to include property maintenance. The board did not adopt the law at the same meeting; the hearing provided the public comment required by the local-law process. Any further changes to the language would require additional review and could trigger another public hearing, a point discussed by members who pulled a separate outdoor-lighting local law for verbiage revision earlier in the meeting.

What happens next: The board will consider public comments and staff recommendations, and any revised language would return to the board for potential adoption or further public hearings.