Board & Secure permits: What do other cities do?

[sheclown]

Lisa Sheppard, a Sr. Planner in city of Jacksonville's historic department, investigated what other cities do with their condemned properties.  Finding a middle ground in this economy between restoration and demolition is key to saving the historic structures in Springfield.

One of the more interesting ideas is Virginia's board and secure permit.

Under Virginia's building code there is a specific "Building Maintenance Code" with Maintenance Code enforcement.  

Under the maintenance code, a Building Maintenance Code Official can require basic maintenance to keep buildings intact, including mothballing if necessary.... We cannot required an owner to bring a vacant building up to a habitable condition, but we can require certain basics, such as ensuring weathertight integrity, securing from entry, etc.  In addition, we have asked owners placing plywood over windows to paint the plywood black, with a white grill to give the impression of windows.  They also must cut the grass, keep the building painted, etc.

The idea is to allow homeowners to pull "board and secure" permits which are good for a year and can be renewed annually.  It is a way for the city to monitor the unoccupied houses and the permit fees would pay for monitoring of the properties.

Right now, we all know how difficult it is to get money to invest in a home.  We need a plan to hold on to our historic fabric until money is available to restore once again.

Thoughts on the board and secure permitting idea?

[Debbie Thompson]

Exactly what we need.

[JeffreyS]

Love this idea.

[Ocklawaha]

Where was this gal when the original 1890's Union Station was filled with flammable chemicals and abandoned to a hobo camp?

OCKLAWAHA

[sheclown]

The board and secure permit process addresses a major complaint of the city that there is no way to monitor these properties while also providing a funding source to pay for the process.  I think it is a win/win.

Obviously there needs to be a mechanism in place for non-compliance, but that should be along the lines of a reasonable fine (certainly not $250 per day or anything like that).  Enough to cover the board and secure by city contractors and the monitoring expense.

[Miss Fixit]

Great approach - is Lisa working to get related legislation introduced? How can we help?

[sheclown]

No, it isn't really her job.  She researched.

It probably needs to be done on a state level since it is part of the building codes.  I guess we need to contact our state rep.

However, I am sure that we can do some things on the city level.

[Springfielder]

I would tend to think this would be on the city level, via OGC and city council...we need to find out for sure.

[sheclown]

Well, it would certainly be better to do it locally.

[Springfielder]

I know there's no need to even approach Gaffney, he's worthless so we need to look to someone else on council who would be willing to help

[sheclown]

I suppose we need the moratorium first and then we can go from there.

[CS Foltz]

I concure about Gaffney! If this can be done on a local level, maybe using one of the Council members at large? This is also something that should be on the Mayoral candidates plates and is worthy of insertion into their platforms...............it would be interesting to see just how they would consider doing this. Cost is important, but getting the COJ regulations modified to suit the situation would be helpfull! Maybe someone who is a land use attorney has some understanding about the Historical aspects, if there is any? If its open ended and the local level can take lead, then away we go..........does anyone have an idea beyond this?

[sheclown]

Bill Killingsworth brought this up at the HPC meeting last night.  Looks like COJ will be adopting this idea. 

It is THE answer to condemned properties in Jax, IMHO.

[sheclown]

Ideas for this type of permit



For Simple Board and Secure (pulled by homeowners):

~Inside cleaned out to broom swept condition
~windows boarded and painted black--with vent holes and thru-bolted w/o damage to window panes
~doors boarded
~yard maintained

For more complicated board and secures (pulled by licensed contractor):

~obvious structural elements temporarily braced and made safe
~obvious roofing issues addressed (if temporarily w/tarp)

Neighborhood wish list:

~Front of house primed
~lattice or other type of underpinning of house

The permit fees will pay the salary of an enforcement officer who would finalize the board and secure permit just as any other permit is finalized.  S/he would also check quarterly for lawn maintenance and to make sure the house is still secure.

However!  The main responsibility for monitoring the condemned structures will be the non-profit "guardian" of these homes.  It will require a "block captain" type of set up with a number to call when a house is broken into so that it can be quickly repaired.  

The board and secure permits need to be attractive enough so that folks are willing to do this. One of the ways is to keep the permitting costs low, and allow homeowners to pull a permit to do this if they are not dealing with structural issues.  Additionally, penalties and failed inspections need to be reasonable as well.  After all, the point is to encourage homeowners to take responsibility and then the neighborhood to take responsibility of these homes.  Penalize someone too much and in this economic climate, they bolt.

Why pull a permit?  Quite plainly, it keeps code enforcement at bay -- the larger fines and penalties and condemnation.  Those things which really hurt a homeowner and a property.

Any thoughts on the board and secure idea?  Any ideas?

[sheclown]

The non-profit "guardian's" role

Record Keeping

~gather list of unoccupied homes in the neighborhood (could include commercial as well)
~contact owners and provide information of the board and secure process
~maintain a file on the homes with all pertinent information

~offer assistance as needed (including volunteers & materials should it be necessary)
~be ready for emergency calls should houses get broken into and need immediate reboarding

Any thoughts on a non-profit "guardian's role?"