The purpose of this chapter is to define, prohibit and abate
blights and nuisances and to protect, preserve, and promote public
health, safety and welfare; and to preserve and protect property values.
This chapter shall apply uniformly to the maintenance of all
residential, nonresidential, and undeveloped premises now in existence
or hereafter constructed, maintained, or modified but shall exclude
agricultural lands as defined in Section 22-3(b) of the Connecticut
General Statutes; land dedicated as public or semi-public open space
or preserved in its natural state through conservation easements;
or areas designated as inland wetlands and watercourses.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter:
BLIGHTED PREMISES
Any building, structure or parcel of land, except exempt
property as defined below, in which at least one of the following
conditions exists:
A.
It is dilapidated or becoming dilapidated as documented by the
Building Official;
B.
It is attracting illegal activity as documented by the Police
Department;
C.
It is a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Marshal or as
documented by the Fire Department;
D.
It is determined by the Building Official or by Health Department
reports that the condition of the building, structure or parcel of
land poses a serious or immediate danger to the safety, health or
general welfare of the community;
E.
It is not being maintained. The following factors may be considered
in determining whether a building, structure or parcel of land is
not being adequately maintained: missing or boarded windows or doors;
collapsing or missing walls, roof or floors; seriously damaged or
missing siding; a structurally faulty foundation; garbage or trash;
abandoned, inoperable or unregistered motor vehicles on the premises
in violation of Section 14-150a of the Connecticut General Statutes
(unless the premises is a junkyard legally licensed by the State of
Connecticut); overgrown grass or weeds of at least one foot in length;
graffiti; and fire damage; or
F.
It is a factor creating a substantial and unreasonable interference
with the reasonable and lawful use and enjoyment of abutting premises
or block or interferes with the use of any public sidewalk and/or
private street or right-of-way or any road sign.
DILAPIDATED
Any building or structure or part thereof that would not
qualify for a certificate of use and occupancy or which is deemed
an unsafe structure, and any dwelling or unit which is designated
as unfit for human habitation as defined in the State Basic Building
Code.
EXEMPT PROPERTY
Any Town-owned property; and any building or structure undergoing
remodeling, restoration, repair or renovation, provided that the blighted
condition will be corrected thereby and that the period thereof does
not exceed six consecutive months.
No person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity shall cause
or allow any blighted premises, as defined in the preceding section,
to be created or continued on any real property located within the
Town of Windsor Locks. Any exempt property, as defined in the preceding
section, shall not be considered a blighted premises and, therefore,
shall not be subject to the provisions hereof.
The owner, lessee, or occupant of premises subject to this chapter,
including the agents thereof, shall be jointly and severally obligated
to comply with the provisions of this chapter. Whenever the person,
as herein defined, is a corporation or other legal entity, the officers
thereof shall be jointly and severally responsible with that corporation
or other legal entity.
Any person notified in accordance with §
236-7 above may appeal said notice of violation(s) to the Housing Code Appeals Board, in writing, within 10 days of the date of said notice. If an appeal is taken as aforesaid, the first day of violation shall be seven days after the decision of the Housing Code of Appeals or on such later date as established by the Housing Code of Appeals.