The teeth in

Peachtree City's ability to dispose of dilapidated structures just got

a little sharper.

A new ordinance

enacted by the City Council last week will shorten the time frame for

the process the city must follow to eventually have such buildings repaired

or demolished.

The old ordinance

called for a process that could take up to 205 days. Now, the process

can be accomplished in as little as 45 days, according to councilman Murray

Weed, who spearheaded the changes.

The new nuisance

ordinance allows the city to initiate court proceedings against property

owners for buildings that are unfit for habitation or endanger the public

health or safety with unsanitary or unsafe conditions. The ordinance may

also apply to vacant structures that are used in the commission of drug

crimes.

Once the city

files a complaint on a particular property, a court hearing must be scheduled

within 15 to 45 days. Afterward, a judge will determine if the structure

is unsafe and,if so, order the owner to repair or demolish the structure.

If the owner

fails to comply with an order to repair or demolish the structure, the

city can demolish it and assess its costs through a lien on the property,

according to the ordinance.

The city engineer

and code enforcement staff were supportive of the change, Weed added.

The quicker system is also expected to save the city a siginificant amount

of legal fees.

Back

to News Home Page | Back

to the top of the page