§ 154.09. Vacant building plan.

A.

The owner or person in control of the vacant commercial or industrial building shall submit a vacant building plan that shall be reviewed and approved pursuant to subsection (B). The vacant building plan shall be selected from and include the minimum requirements from one of the three following categories:

1.

Demolition. If the vacant commercial or industrial building is to be demolished, the vacant building plan shall include a proposed time frame for demolition which shall include a commencement date within thirty days of approval of the proposed building plan and shall not exceed one year in duration.

2.

Secured Structure. If the vacant commercial or industrial building is to remain vacant, the vacant building plan shall contain all of the following:

a.

A plan for fire alarm, fire protection, ingress/egress, placarding, and other facilities as required by the Fire Code.

b.

A plan of action to remedy any public nuisance existing in the building or on the property.

c.

A lighting plan, including periodic maintenance, for the exterior of the building and property, walkways adjacent thereto, parking or loading areas, and other areas which may be vulnerable to vandalism, vagrancy or arson.

d.

A plan for the maintenance of all structural openings, such as windows, doors, areaways and other openings to avoid the necessity of boarding up. Windows, doors, areaways and other openings that are located on the first floor and facing the street shall not be papered, soaped, blacked out or boarded up, and to avoid the appearance of vacancy, a form of display shall be set up that shall be approved by the Director.

e.

A plan of action to maintain the vacant commercial or industrial building and property in compliance with the vacant building maintenance standards set forth in Section 154.10.

3.

Rehabilitation. If the vacant commercial or industrial building is to be returned to lawful occupancy or use, the vacant building plan shall include a rehabilitation schedule for the building and property. The rehabilitation schedule shall not exceed twelve months. The Director may grant an extension of time upon receipt of a written explanation from the owner stating the reasons for the extension. During the period of rehabilitation, the building shall be kept secured and in compliance with the vacant building maintenance standards as provided in Section 154.10.

B.

1.

Upon receipt, the Director, in consultation with the Fire Chief and Superintendent, shall review the vacant building plan.

2.

If the Director determines that the building plan does not satisfy the requirements of this chapter, the Director shall notify the owner or person in control in writing of the particular deficiencies, and order the submission of a satisfactory building plan within thirty days of notification by the Director.

3.

Upon the Director determining that the vacant building plan satisfies the requirements of this chapter, the Director shall notify the owner or person in control in writing that the vacant building plan has been approved and that the owner or person in control is ordered to maintain the building and property in conformance with the approved vacant building plan.

4.

Failure by the owner or person in control to resubmit a complying plan in in violation of subsection (B)(2) of this section, or to maintain the building and property in compliance with an approved plan in violation of subsection (B)(3) of this section is satisfactory grounds for the Director to issue administrative penalties or pursue any other remedy provided in Section 154.99 of this chapter, and if deemed necessary by the Director, to refer the building to the Board pursuant to Section 154.051.

(Ord. 207-2018)