Officials warn of crackdown on property code violators

A Fairview avenue resident said her neighborhood is turning into a slum.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
CANFIELD -- The city is doing some spring cleaning by cracking down on property maintenance violations.
Mayor William Kay has vowed to enforce the $100-a-day fine for property maintenance code violations that go uncorrected.
City manager Charles Tieche told council last week that the biggest violation of the property maintenance code is materials stored outside, such as tires.
He also said vehicles have to be licensed and operable -- no junk cars can be stored outside.
Another problem, Fairview Avenue resident Donna Bishop told council, is people who begin construction projects and then take too long to finish them.
Bishop, who complained her neighborhood "is turning into a slum," said building permits should have a completion deadline.
She also complained of boarded up windows on properties, some of which have been in foreclosures, and sheds that are bought and installed with no regard for property lines.
Tieche said letters will be sent to property owners in each code violation Bishop mentioned.
Tieche said people who receive letters have to fix violations "in a timely fashion."
If they don't, he said, the city will take photos and cite the property owner, who must appear in mayor's court.