A major fire collapsed a two-story duplex at 4356 Acme Road in the town of Frankfort on August 27 of last year.
Almost a year later the rubble remains and, in addition to health, property value and safety concerns, any motorists on Route 5S get a clean view of the eyesore as they pass the town.
So, in order to establish legal authority to address such unsafe buildings and collapsed structures, the Frankfort Town Board on Thursday introduced Local Law No. 1 of 2009.
Targeting structures that have become unsafe “by reason of damage by fire, the elements, age or general deterioration,” the law allows a town codes officer to investigate structures and report findings to the town board.
The board then determines between two options: Repair or demolition and removal.
The property owner is issued a notice of the findings, which sets deadlines of 30 days to commence repair or removal and 60 days to finish the process, unless good cause is shown for extension, according to the law.
Property owners can set a hearing with the town board on the matter within five days of receiving the notice, the law states.
The notice will also explain that failure to comply with the order authorizes the town to demolish and remove the structure at the property owner’s expense.
There is also a clause allowing the town board to deem repair or demolition of a structure an emergency.
“Where it reasonably appears that there is present a clear and imminent danger to the life, safety or health of any person or property unless an unsafe building is immediately repaired and secured or demolished, the town board may, by resolution, authorize the [codes enforcer] to immediately cause the repair or demolition,” the law states. And expenses would, once again, be charged against the land or property owner.
There will be a public hearing on the law held on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. prior to a regular board meeting.
Supervisor Joseph Kinney said, after gaining public input the finalized law will be filed with the Secretary of State of New York and then come before the town board for adoption.
|
|
|
A major fire collapsed a two-story duplex at 4356 Acme Road in the town of Frankfort on August 27 of last year.
Almost a year later the rubble remains and, in addition to health, property value and safety concerns, any motorists on Route 5S get a clean view of the eyesore as they pass the town.
So, in order to establish legal authority to address such unsafe buildings and collapsed structures, the Frankfort Town Board on Thursday introduced Local Law No. 1 of 2009.
Targeting structures that have become unsafe “by reason of damage by fire, the elements, age or general deterioration,” the law allows a town codes officer to investigate structures and report findings to the town board.
The board then determines between two options: Repair or demolition and removal.
The property owner is issued a notice of the findings, which sets deadlines of 30 days to commence repair or removal and 60 days to finish the process, unless good cause is shown for extension, according to the law.
Property owners can set a hearing with the town board on the matter within five days of receiving the notice, the law states.
The notice will also explain that failure to comply with the order authorizes the town to demolish and remove the structure at the property owner’s expense.
There is also a clause allowing the town board to deem repair or demolition of a structure an emergency.
“Where it reasonably appears that there is present a clear and imminent danger to the life, safety or health of any person or property unless an unsafe building is immediately repaired and secured or demolished, the town board may, by resolution, authorize the [codes enforcer] to immediately cause the repair or demolition,” the law states. And expenses would, once again, be charged against the land or property owner.
There will be a public hearing on the law held on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. prior to a regular board meeting.
Supervisor Joseph Kinney said, after gaining public input the finalized law will be filed with the Secretary of State of New York and then come before the town board for adoption.
