Council steps toward property maintenance

The sanitary sewer replacement project will begin after Thanksgiving.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- City council has taken the first step toward adopting a code that would force property owners to maintain the exterior of homes and businesses.
Lawmakers moved Monday to a second of three readings required for passage a property maintenance code recommended by the city's planning, zoning and building commission.
The code covers structures, yard areas, roofs, gutters, down spouts, chimneys, driveways, trees, grass and shrubbery.
Scott Daffron, chairman of the commission that recommended the code to council, termed it a "common sense" approach to the upkeep of properties.
During a public hearing before the regular council session, no one opposed the measure, though several residents approved.
One resident said making the city attractive is one way of luring new homeowners to the community.
Mayor Curt Moll said the only opposition he has heard to the proposal is that it isn't strict enough.
Moll indicated he may have to hire a someone to help enforce it.
What's called for
The legislation calls for all deteriorating or decayed exterior walls, doors, porches, floors, steps, railings, broken windows, sills, sashes and moldings to be repaired or replaced.
The same is true for loose or missing blocks, bricks, tile and foundations.
The code calls for the replacement of missing shingles and gutters and keeping down spouts free of rust.
Concerning yards, the legislation would prohibits furniture (other than lawn furniture in good repair), mattresses, furnishings, rugs, appliances, wheels and tires from being stored for more than 24 hours.
Trees, grass and shrubs must be kept trimmed and dead, decayed or broken parts removed.
Structures that are abandoned for more than 90 days will be presumed a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety and comfort of the community and shall be abated.
Those found guilty of violating the code the first time face a $100 fine. A separate offense is committed each day the property owner or manager is not in compliance.
Other actions
In another matter, lawmakers authorized the mayor to enter into a contract with Schimley's Excavating Inc. of Niles to replace the sanitary sewer line along Woodview Street and Russell Avenue.
Don Wittman, city service director, said the $160,000 contract with Schimley's calls for the replacement of the lines, work that will begin after Thanksgiving.
The lines need replaced because of tree roots that are blocking the lines and cracks that are allowing storm water to enter the lines, resulting in flooded basements. MS Consultants Inc. of Youngstown will be paid $13,100 to inspect the work.
Council moved to a second reading a measure that would change the zoning of 378 N, High Street from multifamily residential to service district.
Psychologists Michael Heilman and Terry Heltzel are asking for the zone change on property next to city hall. Heilman said he and Heltzel intend to remodel the house there for use as their offices.
yovich@vindy.com