Code Enforcement Topic of Meeting
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Something needs to be done about code enforcement.
That was the topic of a Bradford City Council work session prior to Tuesday's council meeting.
The work session was requested by the Historical Architectural Review Board in effort to streamline the process of making sure building owners and tenants in the historic district follow ordinances and other requirements. But the discussion soon turned to code enforcement downtown and throughout the city.
The discussion eventually turned to a dilapidated house on West Corydon Street. Mayor Tom Riel addressed that house and others by saying, "That's a public embarrassment. It's shameful to allow a building like that to be standing when they're a gateway to Pitt and Glendorn. We have to change something."
Councilman Ross Neidich and City Clerk John Peterson both said the city doesn't have the money to tear the buildings down. Neidich said attorney Greg Henry is working on the properties he can, but there's still an issue with absentee landlords. He added that Henry was negotiating a deal with the lawyer of the property owner, but the owner died so the status is in "limbo."
"A house doesn't get that way overnight," Riel said of the West Corydon Street house. "We have to be more aggressive."
Later during the regular council meeting, Chestnut Street resident Fran Bottone noted that Olean has a citizen's group that addresses code enforcement issues.
"Blight, actually, kind of begets crime," Bottone said. "As soon as it gets down to a certain level ... nobody cares anymore. Then it attracts a certain element, and that's what we have to deal with."
Riel said council will look into the citizens group. Councilman Jim Evans added that the group sounds like a good idea.
Fire Chief Boo Coder invited Bottone to go to the fire station and see what code enforcement has been doing.
"If anybody wonders what's happening or they don't see much happening, there is a lot going on behind the scenes that red tape and the legal system takes a part in," Coder said.
"I honestly don't see a lot happening in my neighborhood," Bottone said.
Neidich said he and Henry are meeting Thursday to see where they are in the legal process with several properties. Later, Neidich said he would also discuss issues concerning commercial properties.
As for the commercial buildings, HARB members are frustrated at not only the condition of some downtown buildings, but with people who feel they don't have to follow the rules when renovating or refurbishing.
Some of the people "know damn well they have to go to HARB and get a permit and they don't care," Riel said of a few businesses that have done, or started, work that wasn't approved first.
In regard to the condition of commercial buildings, Mark Grassi is the only inspector in the area who's certified to do commercial buildings. Code enforcement officers George Corignani and Merle Silvis are only certified to inspect residential buildings.
But, Riel said, "speaking from experience, if you put up a sign, you can be cited" by Coriginani or Silvis.
"Enforcement is really critical because ... people will find any little loophole," said Main Street Manager Anita Dolan, adding that she constantly hears about a few buildings that are eyesores.
She mentioned one business that has "scary" pictures and signs inside the business, but nothing inappropriate on the outside so the city's hands are tied. Also, the owners of the building next door don't want to spruce up their property because of that.
"If we allow these buildings to deteriorate, they're going to soon become demolitions," Andrews said. "We certainly don't want to lose anymore properties than what we are losing, especially in our historic district."
There was some confusion as to whether Grassi can write criminal citations and actually enforce the codes
If he can't, Andrews said, "Maybe we need our code enforcement officers do that, who are getting paid, because the problem is those are much bigger buildings and if they become bad it costs that much more money to get rid of them and then we have an eyesore in our downtown community."
"So you could drive by a falling down building, for example, on Mechanic Street everyday and nobody ever says a word about it because it's nobody's job," Andrews said.
She suggested that an ordinance be changed to include a fee that would pay for Grassi to inspect the building.
Also prior to Tuesday's regular council meeting, the pension board agreed to pay Bradford City Police Lt. Roger Sager, who is retiring after 39 1/2 years with the department. HIs retirement is effective March 2.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Something needs to be done about code enforcement.
That was the topic of a Bradford City Council work session prior to Tuesday's council meeting.
The work session was requested by the Historical Architectural Review Board in effort to streamline the process of making sure building owners and tenants in the historic district follow ordinances and other requirements. But the discussion soon turned to code enforcement downtown and throughout the city.
The discussion eventually turned to a dilapidated house on West Corydon Street. Mayor Tom Riel addressed that house and others by saying, "That's a public embarrassment. It's shameful to allow a building like that to be standing when they're a gateway to Pitt and Glendorn. We have to change something."
Councilman Ross Neidich and City Clerk John Peterson both said the city doesn't have the money to tear the buildings down. Neidich said attorney Greg Henry is working on the properties he can, but there's still an issue with absentee landlords. He added that Henry was negotiating a deal with the lawyer of the property owner, but the owner died so the status is in "limbo."
"A house doesn't get that way overnight," Riel said of the West Corydon Street house. "We have to be more aggressive."
Later during the regular council meeting, Chestnut Street resident Fran Bottone noted that Olean has a citizen's group that addresses code enforcement issues.
"Blight, actually, kind of begets crime," Bottone said. "As soon as it gets down to a certain level ... nobody cares anymore. Then it attracts a certain element, and that's what we have to deal with."
Riel said council will look into the citizens group. Councilman Jim Evans added that the group sounds like a good idea.
Fire Chief Boo Coder invited Bottone to go to the fire station and see what code enforcement has been doing.
"If anybody wonders what's happening or they don't see much happening, there is a lot going on behind the scenes that red tape and the legal system takes a part in," Coder said.
"I honestly don't see a lot happening in my neighborhood," Bottone said.
Neidich said he and Henry are meeting Thursday to see where they are in the legal process with several properties. Later, Neidich said he would also discuss issues concerning commercial properties.
As for the commercial buildings, HARB members are frustrated at not only the condition of some downtown buildings, but with people who feel they don't have to follow the rules when renovating or refurbishing.
Some of the people "know damn well they have to go to HARB and get a permit and they don't care," Riel said of a few businesses that have done, or started, work that wasn't approved first.
In regard to the condition of commercial buildings, Mark Grassi is the only inspector in the area who's certified to do commercial buildings. Code enforcement officers George Corignani and Merle Silvis are only certified to inspect residential buildings.
But, Riel said, "speaking from experience, if you put up a sign, you can be cited" by Coriginani or Silvis.
"Enforcement is really critical because ... people will find any little loophole," said Main Street Manager Anita Dolan, adding that she constantly hears about a few buildings that are eyesores.
She mentioned one business that has "scary" pictures and signs inside the business, but nothing inappropriate on the outside so the city's hands are tied. Also, the owners of the building next door don't want to spruce up their property because of that.
"If we allow these buildings to deteriorate, they're going to soon become demolitions," Andrews said. "We certainly don't want to lose anymore properties than what we are losing, especially in our historic district."
There was some confusion as to whether Grassi can write criminal citations and actually enforce the codes
If he can't, Andrews said, "Maybe we need our code enforcement officers do that, who are getting paid, because the problem is those are much bigger buildings and if they become bad it costs that much more money to get rid of them and then we have an eyesore in our downtown community."
"So you could drive by a falling down building, for example, on Mechanic Street everyday and nobody ever says a word about it because it's nobody's job," Andrews said.
She suggested that an ordinance be changed to include a fee that would pay for Grassi to inspect the building.
Also prior to Tuesday's regular council meeting, the pension board agreed to pay Bradford City Police Lt. Roger Sager, who is retiring after 39 1/2 years with the department. HIs retirement is effective March 2.
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