Officials aggressively addressing
unsafe housing conditions
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City officials are doing their part to ensure dwellings within the community are inhabitable and taking action to address concerns and eliminate housing dangers when found.
A TREE growing on the roof of a home at 26 Exchange St. in Presque Isle was just one of several issues that resulted in the building being torn down.
Code Enforcement Officer George Howe and Fire Chief/Health Inspector Darrell White concluded 2011 by completing the process of removing two structures deemed dangerous on Exchange Street, following City Council’s authorization to do so.
“Two homes were condemned, due to a number of conditions, including falling ceilings and mold. They were located at 26 Exchange St. and 66 Exchange St. Demolition was completed in December,” said Howe.
White said the property owners had been given ample time to bring the buildings up to code but requests by the city had gone unheeded.
“The days of looking the other way for health and code enforcement violations are gone. We’ve aggressively pursued corrections of the problems to make the homes inhabitable,” said White.
White said the city’s goal is to have people “moving to and living in Presque Isle,” not the other way around.
“We have to have safe, affordable housing. Structures have to meet fire, health and building codes,” said White. “Since code enforcement moved to the fire station, I’ve noticed the amount of time spent chasing the same problems over and over is considerable. It’s our goal to improve on that.”
Changes implemented since City Manager Jim Bennett took office now allow the CEO and health inspector more say and control in the process.
“It’s the city manager’s code of taking care of (problems) in-house. We can be more aggressive and ultimately provide safer living,” said White.
City officials have addressed a number of homes in the community that are sub-standard and in need of repair. Those that aren’t improved during the time allotted by the city are demolished.
“There are homes in the community that are in dire need of repair to meet code. That impacts property values. We’re willing to work with people. Condemning a building and tearing it down is a last resort — and occurs only when an owner simply refuses to work with the city,” said White.
Photo courtesy of George Howe
A COLLAPSING CEILING was one of several problems that led to the city condemning a home at 66 Exchange Street.
Howe said the two most recent cases involved “one building that was so full of mold it was unsafe for anyone to be in; the other one was in such poor condition, structurally, it was unsafe to be in.”
White said he and Howe enforce codes adopted by the city and state.
“At the end of the day, we do what’s safest for the community,” said White.
Howe said there’ll always be a need for affordable housing. White added that that doesn’t mean buildings don’t have to meet fire and building codes.
“There are folks in the community with rental businesses that do a super job of meeting codes. Others, however, buy properties and take rent money and run,” said White.
“We’re more than willing to work with owners. But at the end of the day, if they’re not willing to work with us, we move forward,” continued White.
Howe credited upper management with allowing he and White to do their jobs to enforce rules and codes currently in place.
“Council has given the CEO more authority, including the ability to summons. Those in violation face fees and fines,” said White.
“The health and safety timeframe is short, if the dwelling is occupied. Just bringing a structure up to code, it’s a 30-day timeframe,” explained Howe.
White said once a letter notifying the owner of a violation goes out, the owner has 10 days to respond.
“It’s ultimately up to the CEO to determine from there,” said White, noting that certain considerations factor in, such as winter weather hampering outside repairs.
“A leaking roof in winter — that’s something we’re willing to work with the owner on,” added Howe. “But if a building is substandard, has mold, etc., we’re more aggressive than an occasional roof leak.”
“We’re a stickler when it comes to raw sewage — that’s definitely a major issue,” said Howe.
White said regulations now in place are being “aggressively enforced.”
“With the cooperation of the community, we won’t have to tear someone’s home down. That’s not our intent, but a last resort,” said White.
Howe indicated that while the city will step in and demolish an unsafe building, it’s the owner who is responsible for any cost involved.
“The homeowner is responsible for the cost of demolition and any legal fees,” said Howe.
For more information or to report concerns, contact 769-0881.
