REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
January 11, 2018
FROM: JENNIFER CLARK, Director
Development and Resource Management Department
THROUGH: KELLI FURTADO, Assistant Director
Development and Resource Management Department
BY: TIM BURNS, Code Enforcement Manager
Development and Resource Management Department
SUBJECT
Title
BILL (for introduction) - Amending Section 10-617 of the Fresno Municipal Code relating to Blighted Vacant Buildings
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Council approve the amendment of Section 10-617 of the Fresno Municipal Code related to revisions of the Blighted Vacant Building Ordinance.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The proposed amendments to the Blighted Vacant Building Ordinance (Ordinance) will simplify the citation process with the goal of improved efficiencies and increased compliance by responsible property owners. The proposed amendment removes the $250 citation per day, per violation and includes a cap on citation amounts.
BACKGROUND
Vacant, blighted buildings are an attractive nuisance (a dangerous or negligent condition likely to attract children). These nuisances disturb the peaceful enjoyment of surrounding properties by reducing market values and by creating a dangerous environment due to physical hazards and unauthorized activities occurring on the property. Additionally, there is a higher cost to provide law enforcement, fire-fighting and prevention, and code enforcement activities in neighborhoods heavily impacted by vacant and blighted homes.
The City's Ordinance has been effective since June 20, 2015. At that time there were 1,136 properties identified as blighted and vacant. In April 2016, Fresno Municipal Code section 1-409 was amended to address the authority of the City's Hearing Officer.
As of December 15, 2017 there are 629 active blighted and vacant residential building cases in various stages of inspection by the Vacant Building Team, a specialty unit within Code Enforceme...
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