City Council to consider vacant building register

BARSTOW • Anticipating an increase in empty buildings due to the current economic climate, the Barstow City Council will consider establishing a vacant building registration program at its Monday meeting.

The City Council will also consider updating the city’s nuisance code. The updated code will allow the city to demolish structures it considers unsafe and would allow protest hearings to be held only if requested.

Under the proposed registration program, the beneficiary or trustee who holds a deed of trust on property located within city limits must perform an inspection of the property. If the property is vacant or abandoned the trustee has to register with the city within 10 calendar days of the inspection. The registration is valid for a calendar year.

Registered buildings must be free of graffiti and overgrown vegetation. Lumber, junk or trash as well as newspapers and flyers can’t accumulate. And swimming pools or other bodies of water must be clear of pollution or debris, and can’t harbor mosquitos or other vectors. They must also be secured within 72 hours of becoming abandoned or vacant.

The proposed change to the nuisance abatement code will allow the city to give property owners a choice between repairing or rehabilitating a building that is in violation, or demolishing it. However, if the nuisance creates a hazard, the city manager will attempt to notify the responsible person by telephone or in writing and request he or she fix it. If the hazard is immediate the city manager can choose to abate the nuisance without notifying the responsible person.

The Barstow City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday in City Council Chambers at 220 East Mountain View Street. Full meeting agendas can be found on the city’s Web site at www.barstowca.org.

Contact the writer:
(760) 256-4123 or jcejnar@desertdispatch.com