[Adopted 9-14-2009]
(a)
This article shall be known as the "Anti-Blight Ordinance."
(b)
It is hereby found and declared that there may exist within the City
of Milford a number of real properties which are vacant and/or in
a blighted condition and that the continued existence of such properties
contributes to the decline of neighborhoods. It is further found that
the existence of such properties adversely affects the economic well
being of the City and is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare
of its residents. It is further found that many of the properties
can be rehabilitated, reconstructed, demolished and/or reused so as
to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing and ancillary commercial
facilities, and that such rehabilitation, reconstruction, demolition
and/or reuse would eliminate, remedy and prevent the adverse conditions
described above.
For the purpose of this article, the following words, terms
and phrases shall have the following meanings ascribed to them:
The City of Milford Health Director or his designee.
Any building, structure or parcel of land which is and continues
to be in a state of disrepair and is becoming dilapidated.
A structure having a roof supported by columns or walls along
whose outside face can be traced an unbroken fine for the complete
circumference of the building, which is permanently affixed to a lot
or lots for the housing or enclosure of persons, animals or chattels,
and shall include each of the independent units into which it is divided
by party walls.
A building, structure or parcel of land that is in a condition
which poses a serious threat to the safety, health and general welfare
of the community, which may be evidenced by one or more of the following
conditions:
Multiple missing, broken, or boarded up windows or doors; or
Inadequate maintenance as evidenced by structurally compromised
foundation, collapsing or missing exterior walls, roof, gutters or
damaged or missing siding; or
The presence of inorganic building materials, appliances, household
furnishings, overgrown brush, shrubbery or overgrown grass of at least
one foot situated on the premises; or
Extensive fire and/or water damage; or
Infestation by rodents or other pests; or
Excessive garbage or trash on the property; or
Inoperative or unregistered motor vehicles or inoperative boats
parked or stored on the premises unless garaged on the property; or
Lots, such as commercial parking lots, or open storage areas
left in a state of disrepair or abandonment; or
Vacant buildings or structures left unsecured or unguarded against
unauthorized entry; or
Any condition causing substantial depreciation of the property values in the neighborhood, or which is a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Marshal or his designee, or is attracting illegal activity as determined by the Police Department, or is a public nuisance as defined in Section 11-13.
Anything constructed or erected which requires location on
the ground or attachment to something having a location on the ground.
No owner of real property located in the City of Milford shall
allow, create, maintain or cause to be created or maintained, any
blighted premises.
The City of Milford Health Department shall be charged with
the enforcement of this article.
(a)
The Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer may enter upon any property in
the City of Milford to enforce this article and if violations are
found shall provide the property owner with a notice of violation
under this article by leaving a copy of such notice of violation with
the property owner or affixed to the premises. He shall also send
a copy of the notice of violation by certified mail, return receipt
requested to the property owner's last known address. The Anti-Blight
Enforcement Officer shall make available a form which the general
public may utilize to file a complaint of a potentially blighted premises.
(c)
Upon determination of the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer that a
blighted condition exists, the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer shall
notify appropriate City departments and agencies, including but not
limited to the Human Services Department.
Violations of the provisions of this article shall be punishable
by a fine of $100 for each day a violation continues to exist after
the date certain established by the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer
to remedy the violation. Said fine shall constitute a lien upon the
property in accordance with Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-148aa.
(a)
Upon failure of the owner to abate any violation of this section,
the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer may enter or cause to be entered
upon the land and abate such violations at the sole cost and expense
of the owner. Such cost and expense thereof shall constitute a lien
upon the property and may be foreclosed by the City of Milford.
(b)
No action for trespass shall be levied against the Anti-Blight Enforcement
Officer or his agents for any act performed in the furtherance of
this article.
Appeals from the action of the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer shall be in accordance with Section 11-24 of the City of Milford Code of Ordinances. At the expiration of the appeal period or conclusion of any appeal, in addition to any other remedies, the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer may refer the matter to the State's Attorney's Office for enforcement.
