Controversy over landlord registration in Boardman heads to court

By JORDYN GRZELEWSKI

jgrzelewski@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

The question of whether the township can implement its new home rule resolution, which requires landlords to register with the township and bring their units up to certain standards, soon will be considered in court.

The township and a plaintiff who is challenging the resolution are scheduled to be in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Wednesday for a preliminary injunction hearing, though the hearing might be rescheduled until a new judge is determined, since Judge Shirley Christian recused herself from the case due to a conflict of interest.

William Hiznay of Poland, who owns property at 200 Meadowbrook Ave. in Boardman filed a civil lawsuit against the township Nov. 12. Hiznay is asking for a preliminary and permanent injunction to prevent the township from enforcing the resolution and for a declaratory judgment against the resolution, which he argues is illegal.

“We’re asking that the ordinance be found to be improper, and essentially be rescinded,” Atty. Joshua Hiznay, who filed the suit, said previously. “I just don’t believe that the [Ohio] Revised Code permits a township to start something like this.”

The resolution, which trustees unanimously voted to approve Nov. 10, sets new requirements for landlords.

It requires landlords to register with the township with their contact information, pay an annual fee, maintain certain standards within their rental units and subject their units to periodic inspections by the township zoning department based on any complaints.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on vindy.com.