The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter:
ABANDONED STRUCTURE
A structure that is unoccupied in any manner for a consecutive
period of six or more months. Property will be considered to be abandoned
property when mortgage, land contract, or tax foreclosure proceedings
have been initiated for that property; no mortgage, land contract,
or tax payments have been made by the property owner for at least
90 days; and the property has been unoccupied for at least 90 days.
Property under construction is not considered abandoned if all appropriate
building permits are issued, in force, and progress on construction
is ongoing.
BLIGHT
A structure that constitutes a VAD structure as defined herein
is blighted for the purposes of Section 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xv) of the
Connecticut General Statutes.
CITATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICER (ENFORCEMENT OFFICER)
An individual authorized by the Select Board to issue citations
in accordance with the procedures of this chapter. The ZEO, Building
Official, and Fire Marshal are each authorized to act as citation
enforcement officers for the Town.
LEGAL OCCUPANCY
Occupancy in accordance with state building, state fire,
local zoning, local housing and all other pertinent codes.
OWNER
Any person, institution, foundation, entity or authority
which owns, alone or in common with others, real property within the
Town containing a VAD structure including the executor or administrator
of any estate containing such real property within the Town, or the
trustee of any trust holding legal title to such real property.
PREMISES
A parcel of land containing buildings or structures.
VACANT
Not legally occupied by human beings for an allowable use.
Vacant status in and of itself does not constitute a VAD structure,
if that structure is adequately maintained and the property taxes
are up to date. A structure which is being illegally occupied shall
be considered vacant.
VACANT STATUS
The date when a vacant structure is identified according to the provisions of §§
249-5 and
249-6 of this chapter.
VAD STRUCTURE
Any building or structure, including any accessory structures
to such primary building or structure, in which any of the following
conditions exists:
A.
It is vacant (as defined within this chapter) and inadequately
maintained, as determined by the presence of any of the following
factors, documented by the Building Official, Fire Marshal or ZEO,
as applicable, and existing for a period of 12 months or more:
(1)
One or more missing or boarded windows or doors.
(2)
Collapsing or missing roof, chimneys, interior or exterior walls
or floors.
(3)
A structurally faulty foundation.
(4)
Improper storage of garbage, trash, rubbish, grocery carts,
tires, or hubcaps in violation of Ordinance No. 10-021 Garbage, Rubbish
Refuse and Recycling Ordinance of the Thompson CT Code of Ordinances.
(5)
Improper storage of unregistered vehicles, in violation of Ordinance
No. 10-026 Abandoned Motor Vehicle Ordinance of the Thompson CT Code
of Ordinances.
(6)
It attracts or harbors rodents, insects, vermin and/or disease-carrying
animals.
(7)
It is a property which contains one or more dead, decayed, diseased
or damaged trees which can be demonstrated to constitute a hazard
or danger to proximate properties, including sidewalks and roadways.
(8)
Any other element of the condition of the building or structure
poses a serious or immediate danger to the safety, health or general
welfare of the community as found by the Building Official or Fire
Marshal.
B.
It is an abandoned structure.
D.
It has been the site of illegal activities as documented by
the Connecticut State Police, which activities resulted in one or
more civil fines or criminal convictions. Illegal activities shall
include residential occupation of a structure in violation of any
order of the Building Official, Fire Marshal or ZEO. When illegal
activity is a contributing factor, the twelve-month period may be
waived as a consideration.
E.
Owner-occupied one-, two- and three-family residences; and agricultural
properties are exempt from being classified as VAD structures.
ZEO
The zoning enforcement of the Town appointed in accordance
with Chapter 124 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
No owner of property in Thompson shall cause or allow structures
on such property to become vacant, abandoned or tax delinquent, nor
shall any owner allow the continued existence of such VAD structures.
The Town considers it desirable that VAD structures be rehabilitated
for safe use. For owners who undertake the rehabilitation of VAD structures,
or those owners who wish to purchase and rehabilitate such structures,
the Town may adjust property tax assessment under the following provisions:
A. In accordance with C.G.S. § 12-121e, municipalities are
authorized to freeze the property tax assessment on property rehabilitated
under this chapter.
B. Such freeze in assessment shall only be adjusted after the subject
VAD structure has been rehabilitated.
C. The adjusted assessment shall reflect the value of the structure
prior to rehabilitation and shall be applicable for a period of three
years.
D. The following table lists the minimum value of an improvement to
qualify for a reduction, the maximum reduction allowed and the maximum
reduction period. The Select Board shall determine the specific reduction
of the tax assessment for each project based upon the benefits to
the Town, which reduction shall be implemented by the Thompson Assessor
in accordance with C.G.S. § 12-121e.
Cost of Improvements
|
Maximum Allowable Reduction
|
Maximum Term of Reduction
|
---|
$10 million and higher
|
Up to 100% of increased assessment
|
Up to 25 years
|
$5 million to $10 million
|
Up to 75% of increased assessment
|
Up to 15 years
|
$1 million to $5 million
|
Up to 50% of increased assessment
|
Up to 10 years
|
Less than $1 million
|
Up to 25% of increased assessment
|
Up to 5 years
|
If a court having competent jurisdiction shall hold any provisions
of this chapter invalid, such invalidation shall not affect any other
provisions of this chapter that may be given effect without the invalid
provisions.
This chapter shall be effective 30 days after its adoption.