Property Maintenance Workshop January 23, 2004

1. Property Maintenance WorkshopJanuary 23, 2004 Hamilton County Planning Partnership/PACE Springfield Township’s Experience and Plan

2. AGENDA • Introduction/Summary of Presentation • Township and Property Maintenance Codes ~ Not many have adopted one • Why is this ~ Why is this Changing? • Why is it Changing for Springfield Township? • Neighborhood Action Plan Process

3. Legislative Authority • R.C. 505.75 to 505.77 • Home Rule – R.C. 505.13 • Home Rule violations via civil citations and fines • Traditional Township authority may only be enforced for injunction, abatement or other appropriate action to prevent violations of the code

4. PROPERTY MAINTENANCECurrent Situation Here is what we do today… • ORC 505.87 “Nuisance Abatement” High grass, noxious weeds, trash, debris • Total Costs for Nuisances $28,977.94 in 2001 $61,708.33 in 2002 $13,021.85 YTD in 2003 77 Assessments = $57,550.74 Average Cost = $750 each

6. PROPERTY MAINTENANCECurrent Situation Here is what we do today… • ORC 505.86 “Dangerous Property”

7. PROPERTY MAINTENANCECurrent Situation Here is what other agencies do today… • Authority of the Health Department • ORC 3707.01 The county board of healthshall abate & remove all nuisances within its jurisdiction. When a building is in a condition dangerous to life or health, the board of health may declare it a public nuisance and order it to be removed or abated. The board may prosecute the owner for failing to obey such an order or may remove, abate, or otherwise improve or purify such nuisance and certify the costs to be assessed against the property.

8. PROPERTY MAINTENANCECurrent Situation • Authority of the Building Department • ORC 3781.10 Building departments are authorized to inspect buildings and structures for townships and municipalities and to approve plans and specifications for proposed buildings. Such department can assist in the determination that a property constitutes a nuisance or dangerous property, but they lack the authority to abate the nuisance.

9. PROPERTY MAINTENANCECurrent Situation Here are issues we are unable to address today… • Property Maintenance anything related to the actual structure • Holes in roof • Broken or missing doors/shutters • Fallen or missing eaves/gutter • General disrepair

12. PROPERTY MAINTENANCEBOCA International Property Maintenance Code 2000 Summary of the BOCA Code… • 3 model code groups (BOCA, ICBO, SBCCA) merged to create the Int’l Code Council • Provide a legitimate foundation to enforce minimum property maintenance standards • Emphasizes the protection of public health, safety, and welfare • Applies to ALL structures (no structures are grandfathered)

13. PROPERTY MAINTENANCEBOCA International Property Maintenance Code 2000 • What BOCA covers… • Administration – • Powers of Code Official • Notices • Emergency Measure • Appeals • Definitions • Exterior Requirements • Interior • Rubbish & Garbage • Light & Ventilation, Plumbing, Mechanical & Electrical • Fire Safety

14. PROPERTY MAINTENANCEPros & Cons Positive Aspects of PM Code… • Provides “teeth” and speed to abating problems • Problem Properties are NOT grandfathered • Specifically addresses inoperable and unlicensed vehicles • Comprehensive Negative Aspects of PM Code… • Fear of becoming “property police” • Ability for residents to afford repairs • Doesn’t cover everything – will still be issues that can’t address • Repeat offenders & vacant properties • Need for staff & costs

15. PROPERTY MAINTENANCEQuestions Questions that still remain… • Can fines be issued or do violators get processed through courts? How do you determine time limits for repair (fair) • How do we establish relationship with social agencies or develop referral programs • Can TWP offer assistance (ex: CDBG funds?) • Exterior/Interior • Volume of violations

16. Questions?