Mayor Proposes New Fines for Nuisance Properties
For Immediate Release
October 20, 2014
For More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, 645-6798
Dan Williamson, Mayor’s Office, 645-5300
Scott Messer, Building and Zoning Services, 645-7776
City Would Be Empowered to Penalize Owners $1,000 Daily forNoncompliance
Creating a new tool to protect neighborhoods from blight, Mayor Michael B. Coleman is proposing a new law that would allow the city to assess civil penalties of $1,000 per day for damaged and unsafe properties. Mayor Coleman identified 10 commercial properties as public nuisances that would be targeted by the new penalties once the law is passed if they remain in disrepair. If Columbus City Council approves the mayor’s proposal, the city would immediately issue repair orders to these properties; if the notices go unheeded, the city will have the option of assessing property owners with fines of $1,000 per day. The fines would continue to be imposed daily until the properties are repaired. If the penalties go unpaid, the city would file suit to recover them.
“As we implementsuccessful strategies to address vacant and abandoned homes, we also must findnew ways to address blighted commercial properties,” Mayor Coleman said. “Ifproperty owners are unwilling to take responsibility for their buildings, wewill hold them accountable.”
Under current law, the city may file civil or criminal complaints against properties deemed public nuisances. However, the civil process is often lengthy, and the criminal process is often difficult. The proposed new law would provide owners with a strong financial incentive to address their properties rather than ignore orders or drag out the process. Any revenue collected from fines would be invested in the Land Management Fund to help maintain and stabilize vacant buildings that have been acquired by the city.
“We want to supportowners who take responsibility for their properties and contribute to thestrength and safety of our community,” said Councilmember Michelle Mills, chairof the Development Committee. “I look forward to holding hearings on new legaloptions that will help the city better punish irresponsible landlords whosenuisance properties endanger the public and degrade the quality of life in ourneighborhoods.”
If approved, the law would apply to all properties in Columbus, but the city would have and use discretion whether to assess properties with the new penalties. The law would be most helpful when dealing with commercial properties, multifamily apartments, hotels, motels and landlords. The 10 target commercial properties identified by the city are severely blighted, unsafe and in perpetual disrepair due to the length and complications of the legal enforcement process and refusal to comply by the owners.
“Sometimes it takes athreat of economic loss to get a negligent property owner to follow the law,”Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfieffer said. “That's too bad, but that isthe way it seems to be.”
In 2012, Columbus initiated a process to demolish the 900 homes that are unsafe and beyond repair within a four-year period. Since then, the city has demolished a total of 637 structures or 1079 residential units, including a record total of 302 structures in 2014. In addition, 213 previously abandoned structures have been sold to buyers who commit to a comprehensive renovation plan.
Also, 180 vacant lots, most of which were demolitions, have been sold, and 41 people have participated in the Mow to Own program in which adjacent property owners can count sweat equity toward the cost of a parcel.
Top 10 Public Nuisance Properties
3150-3218 Allegheny Ave
Columbus, OH 43209
Limited Investment Group Corp.
731 W Rich St
Columbus, OH 43222
Lloyd T. Wickline
1462-1464 E Main St
Columbus, OH 43205
Jeffrey Hatem
5000-5020 Gender Rd
Columbus, OH 43110
GBS Gender LLC
2485 Cleveland Ave
Columbus, OH 43211
Moussa and Mbalou Fatoumata Dabo
2840-2842 W Broad St
Columbus, OH 43204
Angelo K. Bendoff, II
627 Greenlawn Ave
Columbus, OH 43223
JZA Realty Investments
2720 Briggs Rd
Columbus, OH 43204
Briggs Road Shopping Center Corp.
1289 E Dublin Granville Rd
Columbus, OH 43229
Sunstar Columbus Inc.
2667 E 5th Ave
Columbus, OH 43219
Mark Lisska