[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Colchester 12-9-2016. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 24.
Building demolition — See Ch. 27.
Dangerous buildings — See Ch. 30.
A. 
It is declared that the presence of blighted properties adversely affects the quality of life of the residents and the economic well-being of the Town of Colchester.
B. 
The purpose of this chapter is to define, prohibit, and abate blights; to protect, preserve, and promote public health, safety and welfare; and to preserve and protect property values within the Town of Colchester.
C. 
This chapter is adopted pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes § 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xv) and is deemed to be a Blight Ordinance.
A. 
This chapter shall apply uniformly to the maintenance of all residential, nonresidential, commercial/industrial, and undeveloped premises now in existence or hereafter constructed, maintained, modified or abandoned/vacated. The following shall be excluded: agricultural lands as defined in Section 22-3(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes; land dedicated as public or semipublic open space or preserved in its natural state through conservation easements; and areas designated on Town of Colchester maps as inland wetlands and watercourses.
B. 
No owner of real property located in the Town of Colchester shall allow, create, maintain, or cause to be created or maintained a blighted property as detailed in § 16-3 of this chapter. This chapter recognizes all applicable State of Connecticut statutes and Town of Colchester codes, such as building codes, zoning codes, fire codes and health codes.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BLIGHT ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE
A multidisciplined committee designated to enforce the provisions of this chapter. It shall be comprised of the Town's Building Official, Zoning Enforcement Official, Director of Health or any designee of the aforementioned and any other Town of Colchester employee designated by the Board of Selectmen.
BLIGHTED PREMISES
Any building, structure or parcel of land, including without limitation, single-family or multifamily residential, industrial or commercial, whether occupied or vacant in which at least one of the following conditions exists:
A. 
It is deemed an unsafe structure or designated as unfit for human habitation by the Building Official;
B. 
It is a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Marshal or as documented by a Fire Department Officer;
C. 
It is determined by the Director of Health or designee 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;
D. 
It is not being adequately maintained and is visible from either the street or from an adjacent property. The following factors shall be considered in determining whether a premises is not being adequately maintained:
(1) 
Multiple missing, broken or boarded windows or doors.
(2) 
Collapsing, seriously damaged, or missing walls, roof, siding or other exterior features including but not necessarily limited to stairs, porches, railings, hatchways, chimneys or floors.
(3) 
Persistent accumulation of garbage or trash on the premises.
(4) 
Chronically neglected and/or inoperable motor vehicles, camper trailers, or boats being stored on the premises, unless garaged, for a period of time in excess of 60 days; or two or more unregistered motor vehicles in the public view, pursuant to Section 14-150a of the Connecticut General Statutes.
(5) 
Outside storage, for a period of time in excess of 60 days, of material or equipment which is incapable of performing the function for which it is designed, including, but not limited to, parts of automobiles, furniture, appliances, cans, boxes, scrap metal, tires, batteries, or containers.
(6) 
Rodent harborage and/or infestation.
(7) 
Dead, decayed, diseased or damaged trees constituting a hazard or danger to adjacent premises or the occupants thereof or to public property or persons lawfully therein.
(8) 
Chronically overgrown grass, weeds, or similar vegetation that is allowed to reach and remain at a height of 12 inches or greater; cultivated gardens and areas maintained in their naturally wooded, field, or shoreline state are specifically excluded from the height requirement so stated.
(9) 
Commercial parking areas left in a state of disrepair or abandoned.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
An individual who administers the State Building Code and any applicable ordinances of the Town.
CITATION HEARING OFFICER
An individual appointed by the Board of Selectmen to conduct official hearings authorized by this chapter, who may not be a police officer or a Town employee or person who issues citations on behalf of the Town.
DIRECTOR OF HEALTH or HEALTH DISTRICT DESIGNEE
An individual who administers state health regulations applicable to this chapter.
DESIGNATED BLIGHT ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
The individual who the Blight Enforcement Committee designates to investigate and to act upon the complaint.
ISSUANCE OF CITATION
The notification that fines and the penalties are being assessed against the owner of the premises for the violation of this chapter.
LET FOR OCCUPANCY or LET
To permit, provide or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling, dwelling unit, rooming unit, building, premises or structure by a person who is or is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license, or pursuant to a recorded or unrecorded agreement of contract for the sale of land.
NOTICE OF VIOLATION
The initial notification in writing of a violation to the owner of the premises.
OCCUPANCY
The purpose for which a building or portion thereof is utilized or occupied.
OWNER
Any person, agent, operator, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the property; or recorded in the official records of the state or municipality as holding title to the property; or otherwise having control of the property, including the guardian of the estate of any such person, and the executor or administrator of the estate of such person if ordered to take possession of real property by a court.
PREMISES
A lot or parcel and all buildings, structures, or uses located thereon.
ZONING ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL
An individual who oversees and enforces the Town's Land Development Regulations\, otherwise known as "zoning regulations."
A. 
The provisions in this chapter shall not be construed to prevent the enforcement of other statutes, codes, ordinances or regulations which prescribe standards other than those that are provided in this chapter.
B. 
In any case where a provision of this chapter is found to be in conflict with a provision of any zoning, building, fire, safety or health ordinance, regulation or other code of the Town or state, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the health, safety and property values of the residents of the Town shall prevail.
C. 
This chapter shall not affect violation of any other ordinances, code or regulation existing prior to the effective date of this chapter, and any such violations may be governed and continue to be punishable under the provisions of those ordinances, codes, or regulations in effect at the time the violation occurred.
The premises under control of the owner, including the agents thereof, are subject to this chapter, and 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 the corporation or other legal entity.
Complaints by residents of the Town of Colchester shall be submitted to the First Selectman or his/her designee. The First Selectman or a designee shall forward the complaint to the Blight Enforcement Committee who shall assign an appropriate designated enforcement official.
A. 
Whenever the Blight Enforcement Committee or designated enforcement official determines that there has been a violation of any provision of this chapter, except as to § 16-3, the definition of "blighted premises," Subsection D(4) pertaining to unregistered motor vehicles, the designated blight enforcement official shall give notice of the violation to the owner of the premises responsible therefor, as hereinafter provided. Such notice shall:
(1) 
Be in writing.
(2) 
Set forth the violation(s) of this chapter.
(3) 
Specify a final date which will be at least 30 days and not exceed 60 days for the correction of any violation.
(4) 
Be served upon the owner or owner's agent; provided that such notice shall be deemed to be properly served upon such owner or agent, or upon such occupant, as by any method authorized or required under the laws of this state.
(5) 
Contain an outline of remedial action which, if taken, will result in the permanent compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
(6) 
State the penalties and enforcement provisions of this chapter that will become effective on the final date set for the correction of any violation.
(7) 
Inform the owner of the opportunity for a preliminary meeting as set forth in § 16-8.
B. 
Whenever the designated blight enforcement official determines that there has been a violation of § 16-3, the definition of "blighted premises," Subsection D(4), the enforcement official shall give notice of such violation to the person responsible. The notice shall be in compliance with above Subsection A and any applicable Town of Colchester Land Development Regulations specific to camper units or recreational vehicles and junk vehicles as well as include the following:
(1) 
The notice shall specify that the owner has 30 days to correct the violation by removing the vehicle or registering it;
(2) 
The person notified in accordance with this section who fails to correct any violation by the date specified in said notice shall be in violation of this chapter and subject to its penalties and enforcement procedures.
A. 
Within 10 days of receiving a notice of violation in accordance with § 16-7, the owner of the premises may request a preliminary meeting to discuss the notice of violation with the designated blight enforcement official who issued the notice of violation or the Blight Enforcement Committee. The preliminary meeting shall be held within 10 days following the receipt of a written request by the property owner for such a preliminary meeting.
B. 
At the preliminary meeting, a proposed remedial action plan to fully correct any violation(s) of this chapter shall be discussed and agreed upon in writing with the owner.
C. 
The purpose of the preliminary meeting is to develop a voluntary remedial action plan in lieu of the formal enforcement citation and penalties as set forth in this chapter. Any voluntary remedial action plan will be subject to the requirements, time limits and other factors as stated in this chapter.
D. 
Nothing contained in this § 16-8 shall be construed as limiting the Town of Colchester's rights and remedies under this chapter, and the Town reserves the right to proceed at any time with the enforcement of penalties against the owner(s) who does not comply with the proposed voluntary remedial action plan.
A. 
The designated blight enforcement official is authorized to issue a citation if a violation remains unabated after the final correction date as set forth in the notice of violation or in the preliminary meeting voluntary remedial action plan. The citation shall:
(1) 
Be in writing.
(2) 
State the address of the affected property.
(3) 
Identify the nature (description) of the violation and the remedial action that is required to be in compliance.
(4) 
State the penalty amounts and enforcement actions of a lien as outlined in § 16-10 for the continued violation of this chapter.
(5) 
Specify a final date of at least 30 days, but not to exceed 60 days, for correction of the violation.
(6) 
State the right to appeal the citation.
B. 
The citation must be mailed by either certified mail, with a return receipt requested, or by electronic mail with a read-receipt sent to the owner or owner's agent of the property. This notice must also meet the same standards as the notices to remedy a health, housing, or a safety code violation.
A. 
Within 10 days of receipt of a written citation, the owner may request an appeal of the blight violation and penalties by filing a written request with the First Selectman's Office.
B. 
Appeals of any action by the Blight Enforcement Committee or any member of the Committee or any other Town employee or Town-appointed designee shall be heard by a citation hearing officer appointed by the Board of Selectmen. The Connecticut Uniform Administrative Procedures Act shall guide the hearing officer. Connecticut General Statutes Section 7-152c establishes the appeal and citation hearing process for all appeals under this chapter.
C. 
The designated blight enforcement official shall attend the hearing.
A. 
Each violation of this chapter shall be considered a separate offense, and for each day that any violation continues beyond the final correction date set in the notice of violation, or voluntary remedial action plan, it shall constitute a separate offense. Each separate offense under this chapter shall have a penalty or fine of $50 per day for the first 30 days of the citation. The fee will increase to an amount of $100 per day for continuation of the violation and any unpaid fine after 31 days.
B. 
The designated enforcement official or the citation hearing officer is not permitted to waive any assessed fines.
C. 
Penalties or fines may include the recovery of all costs associated with the violation incurred by the Town of Colchester, including attorney's fees and/or remediation costs.
D. 
Payment of the assessed fine, penalty or the issuance of a lien will not remove the property owner from the responsibility to correct the blighted condition(s).
E. 
Any fines or penalties unpaid after 60 days may constitute the placing of a lien upon the real estate in accordance with Connecticut General Statute Section 7-148aa. Such lien shall be continued, recorded and released as provided in the aforementioned Connecticut General Statutes.
F. 
All fines are to be made payable to the Town of Colchester at the Town Clerk's office. A dated receipt will be required as a proof of the payment. Proof of the correction of the blighted premises will require a site visit by the designated Town official who issued the notice of violation and citation. A written statement confirming that the blighted conditions were corrected will be submitted by the designated Town official to the First Selectman's office for final approval.