DUBOIS – DuBois City Council on Monday night discussed a proposed ordinance that, if approved, would require property owners to register vacant properties with the city.
Council’s discussion centered around a draft ordinance submitted by Zoning and Code Enforcment Officer Zac Lawhead that was based upon Altoona’s existing ordinance.
The draft included annual unoccupied lot fees, paid to the city, that escalated until reaching a few thousand dollars. This raised questions from council and its solicitor.
For example, councilman Jim Aughenbaugh pointed out the number of estates that get tied up for a year or two. He also had questions concerning the impact on commercial buildings.
Solicitor Toni Cherry added commercial buildings have permit limitations, often making them more difficult to sell than vacant residential buildings. She said requiring insurance would be enough of a discouragement to prevent most people from maintaining a vacant property.
Council also argued any property owners with vacant properties shouldn’t be penalized so long as properties are being maintained and meet the city’s existing code standards.
In other business, council passed an amended second reading of Ordinance 1960 concerning building numbers, so that it was more flexible. Revisions permit numbers to be displayed from inside front windows and other conspicuous places on the property.
Upcoming events were also announced, which included the following: spring cleanup, April 24; Spring Fest, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. May 1 along West Long Avenue between Brady and High streets; Food Truck Mondays (schedule is pending) in the Pershing Lot; Grapes and Hops Walk, Sept. 11; and Oktoberfest on Oct. 2.
The weekly farmer’s market will also return on Saturdays from June 26 through Oct. 9. The market will be in the Pershing Lot from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.