[Adopted 6-11-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
This article shall apply to all vacant commercial properties
located in the Town as those properties are defined herein.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
LONG-TERM VACANT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Any commercial or commercial portion of a mixed-use building,
or portion of such building, in districts PB-A, -B or -C, as defined
in the Town of Pound Ridge Building Code, which is not occupied or put to commercial use for more
than 180 days, except in the case of a building which is unoccupied
or unused due to damage caused by an act of God, in which case such
building shall become a vacant commercial property if unoccupied or
unused by an active business for more than 270 days.
A.
If a commercial property is divided or separated by walls or
other means for use by different businesses or for different purposes,
each separate division, as of the time of the property's most
recent occupancy, shall be counted as a separate commercial property
for purposes of this article.
B.
Long-term vacant commercial property may be referred to herein
as "vacant commercial property" or "vacant property" or "property."
OWNER
Any natural person or entity that has an ownership interest
in the property. If the owner is an entity of any kind, the owner,
for purposes of this article, shall designate a representative or
agent to act on behalf of the entity as it relates to this article
and upon whom process may be served on behalf of the owner for purposes
of enforcement of this article.
Upon registration of the property, and until such time as the
property is no longer a vacant commercial property, the owner shall
post and maintain a sign, in a location clearly visible from the street,
containing the name and contact information of the person responsible
for the maintenance of the property; the square footage of the property;
and, if the property is for rent or for sale, a notification that
it is for rent or for sale. Such signs shall comply with all existing
Town law regarding signage.
The Building Inspector of the Town shall conduct an exterior
inspection of each vacant commercial property at least once during
each six-month period covering a registration and any registration
renewal to monitor for illegal activities or unsafe conditions or
other issues which may contribute to or pose a threat to the safety,
health and welfare of the Town and its residents. The Building Inspector
shall promptly notify the owner in writing upon the finding of any
such activities, conditions, or issues. The owner shall secure the
building and remedy any unsafe condition within 10 days of the receipt
of the notice of remedy thereof, or, if such remedy cannot reasonably
be achieved within such ten-day period, the owner shall notify the
Building Inspector within the ten-day period that it has commenced
such actions necessary to cure such condition.
The Building Inspector shall have the authority to ascertain,
and order remediation by the owner, any and all violations on the
vacant commercial property that may endanger the public health, safety
and welfare.
Any person who violates this article shall be liable for an
administrative civil penalty of up to $100 per day per violation for
each day's violation beginning the 31st day after service of
a notice to remedy from the Building Inspector. The amount(s) of such
fines assessed shall become and be a lien upon the property. All fees
and fines hereunder shall be paid to the office of the Town Clerk.