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Council asks city attorney to review ordinances on vacant commercial buildings and blight enforcement
Summary
Council directed the city manager to request the city attorney examine existing ordinances and enforcement options related to vacant commercial properties and boarded windows and to propose updates or implementation steps; discussion emphasized balancing development incentives with property maintenance.
Under "other business" council discussed options to strengthen enforcement of blight and maintenance standards for vacant commercial properties. City Manager Gibbons asked for direction so the city attorney can review current ordinances and recommend changes or enforcement mechanisms.
Council members described strong resident concern about boarded windows, long‑term vacant lots and properties, and suggested the attorney review mechanisms such as blight court, dangerous buildings ordinances, and methods to require demonstrable progress from developers. Gibbons said staff would return with legal options and recommended balancing economic development incentives with accountability for property conditions.
Council did not take a final vote on ordinance changes but directed staff to seek legal analysis and return with recommended options for updates or enforcement strategies.
