It is hereby found and declared that there exists within the Town of
Farmington a number of taxable and tax-exempt real properties which contain
vacant blighted buildings. It is further found that the existence of these
vacant blighted buildings adversely affects property values within the Town
and threatens the health, safety and general welfare of its residents.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation and enforcement
of this chapter:
BLIGHTED PREMISES
Any vacant building or structure, or any vacant part of a structure
that is a separate unit, or a vacant parcel of land, and in which at least
one of the additional following conditions exists:
A.
The Building Official determines that existing conditions pose a serious
threat to the health and safety of persons in the Town.
B.
It is not being maintained and contributes to housing decay, as evidenced
by the existence of one or more of the following conditions:
(1)
Missing or boarded windows or doors;
(2)
Collapsing or missing walls, roof or floor;
(3)
Exterior walls which contain holes, breaks, loose or rotting materials
or which are not properly surface coated to prevent deterioration;
(4)
Foundation walls which contain open cracks and breaks;
(5)
Overhang extensions, including but not limited to canopies, marquees,
signs, awnings, stairways, fire escapes, standpipes and exhaust ducts which
contain rust or other decay;
(6)
Chimneys and similar appurtenances which are in a state of disrepair;
(7)
Insect screens which contain tears or ragged edges;
(9)
Garbage, trash or abandoned vehicles on the premises (unless the premises
is a junkyard licensed by the State of Connecticut);
(10)
Overgrown grass or weeds at least one foot in height; or
C.
Illegal activities are conducted at the premises, as documented in Police
Department records.
D.
It is a fire hazard as determined by the Fire Marshal or as documented
in Fire Department records.
E.
It is a factor creating a substantial and unreasonable interference
with the use and enjoyment of other premises within the surrounding area as
documented by neighborhood complaints, police reports or the cancellation
of insurance on proximate properties.
BUILDING OFFICIAL
Such individual as is designated by the Town Manager to administer
the state building code and to enforce building ordinances.
LEGAL OCCUPANCY
Occupancy in accordance with state building, state fire, local zoning,
local housing and all other pertinent codes.
NEIGHBORHOOD
An area of the Town comprised
of all premises or parcels of land any part of which is within a radius of
1,000 feet of any part of another parcel or lot within the Town.
OWNER
Any person, firm, institution, partnership, corporation, foundation,
entity or authority who or which holds title to real property or any mortgage
or other secured or equitable interest in such property, as appears in the
Farmington land records.
PROXIMATE PROPERTY
Any premises or parcel of land or part thereof within 1,000 feet
of a blighted premises.
VACANT
A continuous period of 60 days or longer during which a building
or structure or part thereof is not legally occupied by human beings.
No owner of real property, taxable or tax-exempt, within the Town of
Farmington shall cause or allow blighted premises to be created, nor shall
any owner allow the continued existence of blighted premises.
The Assessor may reduce the assessment of any building that has been
rehabilitated in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The assessment
shall be adjusted after the building is rehabilitated. The adjusted assessment
shall reflect the value of the structure prior to rehabilitation. The adjusted
assessment shall be applicable for a period not to exceed three years.