Auburn delays vacant building ordinance

AUBURN - City Councilman Rick Janssen moved to table the proposed vacant building ordinance before a first reading at Monday's city council meeting.

He suggested a committee that could clarify what the city is hoping to accomplish with the ordinance.

Councilman Shawn Clark said the city is encroaching on property rights and said the city already has rules in place for dilapidated buildings. The city is planning demolition of a house at 2500 O Street.

Mayor Chris Erickson said the city does not have a vacant building ordinance now.

Clark said just because a building is vacant does not mean it is an issue for the city. Erickson said he disagrees with that.

The ordinance says vacant buildings contribute to blight, discourage economic development, endanger the public and create fire hazards.

The ordinance would require owners to register vacant buildings, provide a plan for occupancy and re-register every six months.

The city would claim the right to inspect any vacant building.

A penalty of $500 per day could be imposed for failure to register properly. A building that remains vacant over a year would be deemed a “chronic vacancy” and would be subject to a $5,000 yearly fee.