TO: Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Beth Lindauer, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
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Direction to Staff Regarding a Proposed Vacant Commercial Property Registration and Maintenance Ordinance.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
1. Provide direction to staff regarding whether to proceed with the preparation and formal introduction of a Vacant Commercial Property Registration and Maintenance Ordinance.
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SUMMARY:
The proposed Vacant Commercial Property Registration and Maintenance Ordinance was considered by the Planning Commission, which ultimately did not make a recommendation. As a result, the ordinance has not been scheduled for formal City Council consideration. This item is presented to the City Council to obtain policy direction on whether staff should proceed with advancing the proposed ordinance for formal consideration.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
The City Council has no previous action on this item. The Planning Commission first considered the proposed ordinance at a public hearing in May 2026. During its discussion, Commissioners expressed concerns about the ordinance's overall scope and requested revisions before further consideration.
The revised ordinance was presented to the Planning Commission at a subsequent public hearing in July 2026. While Commissioners acknowledged the revisions made by staff, the Planning Commission ultimately declined to make a recommendation on the ordinance.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed ordinance was developed in response to concerns regarding the increasing number of long-term vacant commercial properties and their associated impacts on surrounding businesses, neighborhoods, public safety, and City resources. The ordinance was intended to establish a registration and maintenance program for qualifying vacant commercial properties, allowing the City to identify properties experiencing prolonged vacancy, encourage property maintenance, improve communication with property owners, and reduce nuisance condit...
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