Blight Ordinance To Remain Under Review

The town council did not schedule a public hearing about the proposed blight ordinance Wednesday night and instead took one step back and removed the item from the agenda indefinitely.

“We have a number of issues we’re trying to work through,” said Town Councilor Stephen Eichelberg. “We’re trying to do the best job we can.”

The Land Use/Planning/Public Works Committee drafted an ordinance dated Jan. 28, 2010, which was forwarded to the Administration Committee just about two years later (on Jan. 4, 2012) for review and approval.

Eichelberg, who is the chairman of the Administration Committee, said the issue is complicated and the committee is reviewing ordinances from surrounding towns to get an idea of how towns are handling blight.

“We’re looking at a couple of months, not a couple of years,” Eichelberg said of putting the issue back on the council’s agenda. “We want to make sure we don’t create another onerous ordinance.”

But the issue has been behind the scenes or in front of the Town Council for at least two years and residents are talking about it. Town Councilor Linda Davis asked in a blog post on Jan. 6 if the town needs a blight ordinance, which generated 30 comments with mixed reactions.

Patch user Sharon A Bennet wrote, “Bring it on!!!! So tired of people that pile trash on their property and bring down the value of others. It is one thing if you don’t live near others, but when you live in a housing community, it just isn’t right.”

And Patch user Sharon Pealer expanded the outlook and said that property values are a community-wide issue.

“I don't think that the town should attempt to initiate a blight ordinance until after the town cleans up town properties and manages to provide for roads that are not sink holes waiting to happen annually,” she wrote. “I am not saying that I like blight, far from it, but attempting to improve property values starts with providing for basic needs.”

But, unless or until a blight ordinance is approved, Patch user Andrea McKenzie offered several simple and free solutions for getting rid of junk.

“Maybe the threat of a fine would compel people to make a free call for a bulk pickup, of which we are entitled to two per year. That only costs sweat equity, and would solve a lot of problems,” she said. “Offering things you won't use on www.freecycle.org or www.craigslist.com is another way to get rid of junk that someone else can use, and they'll take it away for free. Furthermore, vehicles that are junking up a yard can either be donated (towed for free) for a tax credit, or sold, which will make money.”

Currently town enforces the removal of blight through the police department and the part-time zoning official, Randy Dalton. Dalton said Ledge Light Health District steps in when residents are unresponsive to complaints.