proposed blight ordinance for redding
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING
SUBMITTED BY: “ENHANCING REDDING’S FUTURE”
PRESENTER: ROGER VAN AUSDAL
![Page 2: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
POSSIBLE BLIGHT CASE? This is what people see as they enter Redding’s Principal Dining/Entertainment District in Georgetown
![Page 3: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
PROPOSED REDDING BLIGHT ORDINANCE OBJECTIVES:
• Allow the Town of Redding to Intervene: • When the health and safety of citizens are effected
• In situations which represent a substantial and unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of nearby premises , as documented by neighborhood complaints, police reports, cancellation of insurance on proximate properties, or similar circumstances
• The Proposed Ordinance is Not Intended to Address; • Uncut lawns & substandard paint jobs on houses
• Anonymous complaints would not be considered
• It is intended to address blight, and not overlap with health, building, fire, & zoning codes
![Page 4: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
INITIAL INVESTIGATION
• Pam Elkow, an environmental attorney, presented to our group & discussed: • CT blight ordinances,
• State of Connecticut statute allowing towns to pass blight ordinances, • Examples of ordinances in place in other Connecticut towns.
• The Power to Create Blight Ordinances derives from CT General Statute: • CGS 7-148(c)(7)(H) (xv) Make and enforce regulations for the prevention and remediation of
housing blight
• We Reviewed Office of Legislative Research Reports On CT Blight Ordinances • ”Comparison of Municipal Blight Ordinances” - November 2013 (30 Town Ordinances Reviewed) • “Municipal Authority to Address Blight” - February 2017
![Page 5: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
INITIAL INVESTIGATION (CONTINUED)
• Numerous State Laws Authorize Municipalities to Regulate & Address Blighted Properties
• Three General Categories:
1. Prevent & Remediate Blight
2. Redevelop Blighted and Abandoned Properties
3. Provide Financial Incentives to Encourage Property Owners to Remediate for Redevelop Blighted Properties.
• (Our Proposed Ordinance for Redding Principally Addresses #1)
![Page 6: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
CT ORDINANCES REVIEWED
• Town Blight Ordinances Reviewed
• We have reviewed Redding’s Zoning, Planning, Health, Building, & Animal Ordinances
• They don’t seem to address the “Blight” that we are trying to address
Brookfield Middletown
Coventry Ridgefield
Danbury Weathersfield
Fairfield Westport
Guilford Woodbridge
![Page 7: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
ACTIONS TAKEN
Drafted Ordinance for Redding Modeled After the Ridgefield Blight Ordinance
• Submitted Draft Blight Ordinance for Redding to the BOS
Contacts Made
• Ridgefield 1st Selectman Interviewed
• Guilford enforcement officer interviewed
• Former Westport residents discussed Westport blight ordinance experiences
![Page 8: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
BLIGHT PREVENTION BOARD (BPB)
• The BPB consists for town officials appointed by the 1st Selectman with the consent of the BOS. The following town officials are eligible to serve:
• The 1st Selectman designates one official to direct the BPB or she can assume the role herself.
• We propose that the BPB meets monthly
Building Official Land Use Director
Fire Marshall Health Director or Officer
Chair of Zoning Commission
![Page 9: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
ENFORCEMENT
• Amicable resolution of blight issues is intended
• Substantial penalties and liens against property are allowed per CT Statute.
• e.g. Fines up to $250 per day for willful violation
• Remediation can be conducted by the town at the owner’s expense
• An appeals process is included in the proposed ordinance
• A “Special Consideration” clause addresses issues resulting from “Good Cause”
• Elderly, disabled, & low-income individuals.
![Page 10: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
RIDGEFIELD EXPERIENCE - BLIGHT ORDINANCE ADOPTED 3-19-2014
• The BPD is led by the 1st Selectman with representatives from Health, Building, Fire & Zoning Departments – Meet Monthly
• The ordinance has been effective & most issues are resolved amicably
• There were many blighted properties when the ordinance was passed.
• In instances with elderly, sick, and poor people Ridgefield tries to enlist the support of churches, scouting groups etc. to ameliorate the situation with a degree of compassion
• One case on the way to resolution involves liens in excess of $70,000.
![Page 11: PROPOSED BLIGHT ORDINANCE FOR REDDING](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022062301/62a4f3eeeec94c2fa408cb23/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
OUR PROPOSAL
• Based on what other towns have done to institute an ordinance and to set up an enforcement process, we recommend that Redding consider putting in place a blight ordinance and procedures that will provide the Town with options not now in place. We urge the Board of Selectman to act on this.
• Draft Redding Blight Ordinance proposal documentation Document