City Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance amending and updating sections of the Property Maintenance Code Tuesday night.
The proposal was made last month by Public Works Director Wayne Shelton, with the aim to improve property maintenance regulations across the city.
In December, Shelton presented commissioners with pictures and statistics that detailed dilapidated homes, unkempt yards, hoarding issues, abandoned properties and hobby vehicles parked in unacceptable areas — such as in front yards — across Owensboro. Shelton also presented a list of terms and definitions that he believed needed clarification so that Public Works could enforce these amended regulations without any need for interpretation.
“The changes include updates and clarifications for definitions and enhancements for enforcing standards and abating potential violations, salvage materials and hobby or unlicensed vehicles and storm water and sanitation enforcement,” City Manager Nate Pagan said.
Pagan said this ordinance marks the third time City commissioners have taken on a property maintenance issue over the last couple of years.
“Last year we added a second full-time property maintenance inspector and have essentially cleared the backlog of complaints,” he said. “In addition, in the current budget, the commission added an extra $100,000 for the demolition of unsafe and dilapidated structures.”
In past meetings, a small number of residents had publicly addressed concerns they’d had with the property maintenance changes, but no one from the community argued the changes at Tuesday’s meeting.
