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Board debates storefront registry and vacancy enforcement; agrees to separate tracks
Summary
Board members debated a proposed vacant‑storefront policy and a universal storefront registry, discussed penalties and incentives, heard a case study from Newberg, and agreed to split the registry (all storefronts) from a vacancy/enforcement track (teeth and incentives) and to prepare a consolidated draft for public hearing consideration.
The board spent the final portion of the meeting debating a draft policy aimed at addressing vacant storefronts and improving communication with property owners.
Chair explained the original focus was vacant storefronts but said the group might instead adopt a universal storefront registry to track all storefronts across commercial districts and to provide contact information for owners and tenants. Several board members argued for a two-track approach: (1) a universal registry that improves emergency-service contacts and property tracking, and (2) a vacancy‑enforcement track that applies only to long-term vacancies and includes progressive penalties and incentives.
One staff member described Newberg’s registry experience, saying the program reduced vacancy rates by raising awareness of available spaces, creating a posting and advertisement process, and enabling incentive programs administered by the local development corporation. The presenter emphasized that Newberg dedicated staff to maintain the registry and used software tools to reduce administrative burden.
Members discussed enforcement 'teeth' and penalties and suggested designers include plain-language guidance for property owners, a plan-submission step for vacant storefronts, and an escalating penalty structure for noncompliance. Several speakers cautioned about administrative workload and the need to reference existing code provisions for nonconforming uses.
The board agreed to instruct staff and a small working group to prepare a consolidated draft that separates the universal registry from the vacancy enforcement track and to aim for readiness for a public hearing (the Chair mentioned an August 11 meeting as a possible target) if stakeholder feedback and drafting can be completed.
Next steps: staff and designated board members will meet to finalize a single draft and present it to the full board before scheduling a public hearing.
