NILES Paint issue to receive a second reading

A lawmakers doesn't want to tell people what color to paint their homes.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- City council couldn't pass an amendment to the city housing code Wednesday that would essentially prohibit houses from being painted unusual colors.
The amendment came before council for a first reading, but a motion was made to pass it under an emergency, which requires six votes.
Lawmakers could muster only five votes for passage, however, because Councilman Frank Fuda, D-1st, voted against it and Councilman Reginald Giancola, D-2nd, was absent.
Instead, it was moved to a second reading.
The change was sought after a Smith Street resident painted his house and backyard fence red.
When lawmakers found they couldn't order the color to be changed, the amendment was sought.
The measure says that the color of paint used on a structure "shall be compatible in color, texture and design with similar dwellings or structures in the immediate neighborhood."
Fuda said he is against the measure because he doesn't think the city should tell property owners what colors to paint their home.
Councilman Stephen Papalas, D-at large, countered that the measure doesn't tell people what color to paint their homes.
Rather, he said, it's an effort to retain neighborhood property values and stop landlords from deteriorating neighborhoods.
If council does pass the legislation, it would not affect those with unusual colors because the legislation isn't retroactive.
Tax abatement
In other business, council moved to a second reading of legislation granting Niles Building Products Co. a tax abatement to construct an addition to its Hunter Street facility.
The 20,000-square-foot building will cost between $550,000 and $650,000. The total project is estimated at $1,010,000 and $1,181,000.
The company is seeking a 75-percent abatement on real property taxes for 10 years.
Landfill legislation
Also in other business, Law Director J. Terrence Dull said he will have legislation prepared for the Sept. 21 meeting that would severely restrict landfills within the city.
Dull said he is combining ordinances from Warren and Girard.
The question of restricting landfills surfaced when Total Waste Logistics proposed a second facility in Girard for construction and demolition debris on 19.9 acres off U.S. Route 422.
Total Waste Logistics operates a facility along Salt Springs Road in Girard.
Girard instituted legislation that severely restricts where a landfill can exist in Girard, but it was passed after Total Waste Logistics filed for a permit.
The Niles administration and lawmakers want restrictions in place before any company attempts to construct a landfill in the city.
yovich@vindy.com