HomeMy Public PortalAbout07) 10B_Vacant Property Ordinance_Staff Report_Draft_2_2021-12-08COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 21, 2021
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Bryan Cook, City Manager
By: Scott Reimers, Community Development Director
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING INITIATION OF A MUNICIPAL CODE
AMENDMENT RELATED TO MAINTENANCE OF VACANT PROPERTIES
RECOMMENDATION:
The City Council is requested to provide direction to staff on whether to initiate an
amendment to the Temple City Municipal Code (TCMC) requiring additional maintenance
standards for vacant properties.
BACKGROUND:
Mayor Pro Tempore Sternquist asked that a discussion take place concerning the
development of ordinance related to vacant properties.
ANALYSIS:
The TCMC contains two sets of regulations related to vacant properties. The first, Section
4-2I, applies to properties that are distressed due to a notice of default, a tax lien sale,
notice of trustee’s sale, or is involved in a foreclosure. These regulations require the
owner to register the property with the City and prohibits graffiti, accumulation of junk and
trash, overgrown vegetation, unmaintained swimming pools, or unsecured structures or
properties. Another Section of the TCMC contains public nuisance rules (4-2C) which
prohibit conditions typically associated with vacant properties such as overgrown
vegetation; graffiti; accumulation of junk, trash, or debris; and unmaintained swimming
pools.
There are properties in the City that have been vacant for an extended period. Some of
these properties are fenced but have little to no vegetation, were formerly the site of a
building which was demolished, and for which there no plans are under review for
AGENDA
ITEM 10.B.
City Council
December 21, 2021
Page 2 of 2
development. Some of these properties are within areas that the City desires to promote
economic development, such as within the Downtown Core and the Crossroads Specific
Plan. The purpose of the proposed Ordinance is to minimize and prevent the spread of
blight and protect property values by maintaining a safe community, promoting economic
investment, and improving the community’s aesthetics. The proposed Ordinance would
set out requirements for property owners to fence, landscape and maintain vacant sites.
In cities with similar ordinances, these rules would apply to non-residential properties that
are undeveloped or has an existing building that is abandoned or vacant. Properties
owned by government agencies and utilities would be exempt. Also exempt would be
vacant properties that serve as parking lots to non-vacant buildings.
It is expected that the proposed Ordinance would require undeveloped lots to provide a
landscaped setback between the right-of-way (sidewalk) and the required fencing. This
setback area must have an automatic irrigation system kept in good working condition.
Any repairs to the system would need to be made in a timely fashion. The Ordinance
would also set standards on the type of fencing and limit on the height of landscaping to
allow visibility into the site for security purposes. All vacant properties would need to be
inspected by the property owner or his/her designee on a regular basis and the property
would need to be secured to eliminate illegal dumping and loitering. The Ordinance would
also include a date by which existing property owners must comply.
CITY STRATEGIC GOALS:
Initiating an amendment to the TCMC could further promote the City’s Strategic Goal of
quality of life by reducing the appearance of blight and improving the aesthetics of the
community.
FISCAL IMPACT :
This item does not have an impact on the Fiscal Year 2021-22 City Budget.