40-09 1306.521 & 1306.522 Unsafe structures - public nuisance

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PLEASE SUBSTITUTE FOR ORDINANCE N0. 40-09 PLACED ON 1~ READING & REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE 4/6/09, 2ND READING 4/20/09. ORDINANCE NO.40-09 BY: AN ORDINANCE to take effect immediately provided it receives the af- firmative vote of at least five (5) members elected to Council otherwise, it shall take effect and be in force after the earliest period allowed by law, adopting sec- tions 1306.521, Public Nuisance Buildings and Structures; Repair or Demolition Thereof; and 1306.522, Declaration of Public Nuisance; Repair or Demolition of Unsafe Structures and Exterior Property Nuisances; Violations and Remedial No- tices; Appeals Process; Cost Recovery, for the purpose of adopting a clear and concise method for the repair or demolition of unsafe structures of nuisance properties. WHEREAS, structures that are vacant and open to entry at doors, win- dows, or other points accessible to the general public attract children to enter, become harborage for vermin, serve as temporary abode for derelicts, vagrants, and criminals; and WHEREAS, unkempt grounds surrounding vacant, open structures invite the dumping of garbage and rubbish; and WHEREAS, thousands of structures in this City are made of wood-frame construction that is more combustible than other building types; and WHEREAS, thousands of structures in this City are situated on narrow lots and in close proximity to one another, increasing the risk of conflagration and spread of insect and rodent infestation; and WHEREAS, vacant, open structures often become dilapidated because they are not repaired by the owners or persons in control of the structures; and WHEREAS, structures that are vacant and open to entry, junk, and debris depress the market value of surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, vacant and unsafe structures in which utility services have not been shut-off create a serious risk of explosion, accidental fire, and flood; and