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<br /> <br /> STAFF REPORT <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Mayor Keis and Members of City Council <br /> <br />FROM: Jessica Jagoe, Code Enforcement Officer/Planning <br /> <br />DATE: May 4, 2016 <br /> <br />RE: Vacant Commercial Property Maintenance <br />From the goal setting discussion, city staff was asked to identify vacant commercial properties that <br />have declined in their appearance due to lack of property maintenance and upkeep by the owner. <br />Initially city staff identified three properties: <br />1) A&W, 3006 Rice Street <br />2) Former Bally’s Site, 71 Minnesota Avenue <br />3) Former Sinclair Gas Station, 228 Little Canada Road <br />Since the goal setting session, two of the properties have seen some potential for resolving the <br />concerns expressed by the goal setting committee. The former Sinclair Gas Station building was <br />demolished in April and is being marketed as a vacant parcel for redevelopment. As the Council is <br />aware, the owners of the property at 71 Minnesota Avenue have three potential uses for the site and <br />hope to have a more definitive plan within the next month of who will be moving into that location. <br />The A&W property has been vacant since 2010 and was sold to Leon Properties LLC in June 2012. <br />Leon Properties have made no improvements to the property since they purchased it. The City has sent <br />multiple notices to Leon Properties dealing with maintaining a Public Nuisance as a result of debris <br />that has been dumped on the site and tall grasses. Additionally, the City has had to proceed with <br />abating said nuisance because the property owners have not responded to corrective action notices. It <br />is worth noting that city staff mailed a letter to the property owner in February to request a meeting to <br />discuss the current state of the site and their future plans for the property. City staff received no <br />response to that letter. <br />In an assessment of the A&W property, the following violations exist under our current zoning and <br />municipal code: <br />Signage (Zoning Code 903.110.C.10) - <br />10. Any sign now or hereafter existing which no longer advertises or identifies a bona fide <br />business conducted, or a service rendered, or a product sold, shall be removed by the <br />owner, agent, or person having the beneficial use and/or control of the building or <br />structure upon which the sign may be found within ten (10) days after written notice <br />from the Zoning Administrator.