Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vacant Commercial Buildings topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission asks staff to research rules to keep commercial buildings in active use
Summary
Commissioners directed staff to research examples from other towns and draft language intended to prevent long-term vacancy in the Commercial zone, including clarifying how long a property must be empty before it is deemed vacant.
Commissioners discussed a priority to "make active use of buildings" in the Commercial (CC) zone to prevent long-term vacancies and encourage storefront occupancy.
"Make Active Use of Buildings (prevent vacant buildings in the Commercial Zone)," the commission noted while moving the item from Priority 3 to Priority 2. Commissioners asked staff to collect model ordinance language from comparable towns to identify mechanisms (time-based vacancy definitions, maintenance requirements, incentives or penalties) and return with draft verbiage. Commissioner Tom Kenaston suggested reviewing examples from other towns; Commissioner Terry Kruschke raised questions about how long a property should be empty before being classified as vacant.
No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff will research and present options, including possible timelines and enforcement approaches, for the commission to consider.
