DEPARTMENT: Office of Historic Preservation
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Shanon Miller
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
A briefing on the implementation and early success of the 18-month Vacant Building Registration Program.
SUMMARY:
A briefing on the implementation and early success of the 18-month Vacant Building Registration Program. This presentation will focus on identified performance measures, early successes, and recommended program changes created by an advisory committee comprised of stakeholders and local real estate professionals.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Vacant Building Registration was adopted by Council as an 18-month pilot program in June 2014. The program became effective on January 1, 2015, and it is now in the sixteenth month of implementation. The program requires vacant buildings to register and their exterior and structure to be maintained in good condition. The pilot program area covers the Central Business District, the City's historic districts, all vacant Historic Landmarks, and a half mile buffer around the City's three active military bases. The standard of care within the ordinance requires that a building's exterior and structure be maintained in good condition.
The Vacant Building Program is currently working to address 330 vacant properties. There are also 63 buildings that are exempt because they have been occupied or are single family homes that have been improved to meet the standard of care in the ordinance. An additional 10 buildings have been sold as a result of the ordinance and staff is working with the new owners.
When staff confirms that a building has been vacant for thirty or more days, a notice is mailed to the property owner alerting them that they have 90 days to register with the Office of Historic Preservation. That registration must include a plan to rectify violations of the standard of care along with reasonable timelines. Property owners must pay a registration f...
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