Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Code Enforcement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears limits of current empty-storefront enforcement; vacancy registry proposed for Council
Summary
City staff said code enforcement can issue citations but cannot force property owners to act; staff proposed a vacancy-registry program and code changes to be taken to City Council in January to create clearer paths to occupancy.
William Waters, Community Sustainability Director, told the board that current code enforcement has limited leverage on vacant properties: "code compliance can cite but can’t MAKE anyone do anything." He said citations can pile up and create barriers to new tenants unless the city creates a pathway that allows fines to be resolved to facilitate occupancy.
Staff described a proposed vacancy-registry program and a revised signage code that would be presented to City Council in January. Joan Oliva said the CRA is focusing on marketing downtown storefronts and has engaged a marketing firm to present findings to support re-occupancy. Sam Goodstein and other members discussed practical measures to encourage tenants and remove barriers to reopening storefronts.
No formal ordinance vote occurred at the meeting; staff indicated the draft code and registry would go to the City Council for consideration in January.
