Legislation requiring exterior inspections may return in Macedonia
Legislation passed in 2012 but repealed in 2015 required action before renting or leasing residential property
MACEDONIA – Legislation requiring owners of residential properties to have them inspected prior to renting/leasing may be before City Council in the near future.
At Council’s Oct. 13 meeting, Councilman Vini Venture handed out an ordinance passed in 2012 that established such a process, but noted it was repealed in 2015 for an unstated reason.
He suggested – and most of his colleagues agreed – that the ordinance could be reinstated in some form. Law director Mark Guidetti was asked to look into drafting a new ordinance.
“It would behoove us to reinstate something along these lines, and it would help the building department,” Ventura said. “I’m sure we could come up with something livable that has some teeth in it.”
The 2012 ordinance required that a certificate of exterior inspection be issued by the building/zoning inspector before the property could be rented or leased.
The certificate was required to list the address/description of the property, name of owner, use of the building and any violations of maintenance standards existing at the time of the inspection.
The certificate of inspection was valid for one year, and the cost was $75 for residential homes/units and $150 for commercial buildings.
Ventura said several residents have complained about lax upkeep of rental properties, and claimed that a couple of the situations “are really serious.” He said the building department is working to rectify those situations.
Councilman Jeff Garvas said any ordinance would have to take into account fair housing laws. “We’d have to make sure we’re within the guidelines of those,” he said.
Councilwoman Jan Tulley said she believed the original ordinance “worked very well.”
OTHER BUSINESS
The only ordinance on Council’s Oct. 13 agenda – which was approved – authorizes the mayor to enter into a consent agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation director for bridge inspection services.
City engineer Joe Gigliotti pointed out the inspections would not cost the city any money.
A handful of department heads gave brief reports, including service director Daniel Wilson, who said work on the restrooms at Veterans Memorial Park is progressing.
Building commissioner Bob Rodic reported renovations at Target and IHOP (the former Pizza Hut building) are nearing completion.
Tulley reminded residents not to rake leaves into the streets since they could clog up the stormwater system, and advised residents not to place campaign signs in city rights-of-way.
It was noted a finance committee meeting will precede Council’s Oct. 27 meeting. The scheduled Nov. 24 and Dec. 22 meetings are canceled in light of the holidays. The city will observe Halloween trick or treat on Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
A couple of residents brought the issues of flooding on North Bedford Road and speeding motorists on South Bedford Road, including semi rigs, near Nordonia High School.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Macedonia may see return of legislation requiring exterior inspections
