Alma Gets Serious About Decaying and Dangerous Buildings
Alma’s had more complaints this year about blight and dangerous, neglected, buildings than ever before.
With some of these properties, “it’s got to the point where we have to take action,” said Alma City Manager Phil Moore.
They are, he said, dangerous and need to be repaired or demolished and because of that the city is enacting a new dangerous building act.
Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer Dan Stasa said the process would begin with a letter to the property owner, in which the problem would be outlined and a time limit would be given to address the problem.
The property owner would then meet with the hearing officer, who would detail exactly what must be done if repairs are to meet the city standards.
As part of the new act, Mayor Mel Nyman appointed building contractor Kim Krenz of Breckenridge to serve as the hearing officer. Krenz was suggested as he performs similar duties successfully in St. Louis.
“Eventually, (the case) will work its way to the city commission,” Moore said.
The property owner then may take the case to the courts.
Moore said after the meeting, that there are about 10 homes that are in bad shape.
About four or five are “becoming truly dangerous buildings,” he said.
Hand in hand with the decaying and dangerous buildings are blighted properties. He explained to commissioners the difficulty in determining what is blight.
“If there’s one bike in the front yard,” he said, “it’s one bike. What if there are 100 of them?”
He also said the city has seen more homeowners apparently get into the “home scrap yard” business. Those properties may be filled with old appliances, chairs, trailers, TVs, just about anything.
“I really have to question scrap operations in a residential neighborhood,” he said.
He cautioned the board that residents may want a tighter code and the city may have to amend its ordinances regarding blight.
He also said he would likely need their help in defining blight.
“If there’s one car in the back yard up on blocks, is that it?” he asked.
Residents have complained that once the city gets involved and a property is in fact cleaned up, often the blight is right back again.