Blight, potential blight, certain environmental causes of blight, or
blighting factors which exist or may in the future exist shall be prevented,
reduced, or eliminated, consistent with the letter and spirit of Act No. 344
of Public Acts of 1945, as amended.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
BUILDING MATERIALS
Includes but shall not be limited to lumber, bricks, concrete or
cinder blocks, plumbing materials, electrical wiring or equipment, heating
ducts or equipment, shingles, mortar, concrete or cement, nails, screws, or
any other materials used in constructing any structures.
JUNK
Includes but shall not be limited to parts of motor vehicles, unused
household appliances, scrap metal or any other used materials of any kind.
JUNK MOTOR VEHICLES
Includes any motor vehicle which is not licensed for use upon the
highways of the State of Michigan, or which is inoperative.
STRUCTURE
Includes house trailers, any mobile living unit in the conditions described below in §
153-3G.
On and after the effective date of this chapter, no person, firm or
corporation of any kind shall maintain or permit to be maintained the following
uses, structures and activities upon any leased, owned or occupied property,
since they are causes of blight or blighting factors which if allowed to exist
will tend to result in blighted and undesirable neighborhoods, unless such
uses, structures and activities are allowed by Ordinance Code provisions providing
for the licensing of junkyards and secondhand dealers:
A. Junk motor vehicles. The storage upon any property of
junk motor vehicles which is not in a completely enclosed building is prohibited.
B. Abandoned vehicles. The abandonment or placement of any
vehicle on private property for a period of 24 continuous hours or more without
consent of the owner or occupant of the property, or for a period of 24 continuous
hours or more after the consent of the owner or occupant of property has been
revoked.
C. Building materials.
(1) Structures requiring permit. The storage upon any property
of building materials unless there is in force a valid building permit issued
by the Charter Township of East China for construction upon said property
and said materials are intended for use in connection with such construction.
(2) Structures not requiring permit. Materials used in constructing
any structure not requiring a permit shall be stored in a neat and orderly
pile and out of public view from the roadway and shall be used for such construction
within one year.
D. Junk. The storage or accumulation of junk, trash, rubbish
or refuse of any kind is illegal, except domestic refuse stored in an enclosed
container, building or structure and in such a manner not to create a nuisance
for a period not to exceed 15 days.
E. Machinery and/or equipment. Machinery and/or equipment
for outdoor use which is in good working order must be housed or stored in
an orderly manner that is out of public view if possible and does not violate
Township Ordinance Code provisions or State of Michigan laws governing junk
and storage yards. Notwithstanding the above, however, operative machinery
that is in current use on the premises in relationship to a farming or construction
activity is exempt from the provisions of this section.
F. Vacant buildings. The existence of a vacant dwelling,
garage, or other outbuilding, unless such buildings are kept securely locked,
windows kept glassed, or neatly boarded up and otherwise protected to prevent
casual entry thereto by unauthorized persons.
G. Uninhabitable structures. The existence of any structure
or part of any structure which, because of fire, wind or other natural disaster,
or physical deterioration, is no longer habitable or is a dangerous structure
or building as defined under Act 61, Public Acts of 1969, shall be deemed a violation, the purpose thereby being to avoid
injury to children and others attracted to such structures or mobile living
units, the devaluation of property values, and the psychological ill effect
of the presence of such upon adjoining residents and property owners.
H. Partially completed structures. The existence of any
partially completed structure unless such structure is in the course of construction
in accordance with a valid and existing building permit issued by the Township
and unless such construction is completed within a reasonable time.
This chapter shall be enforced by such persons who shall be so designated
by the Township Board.