RM 04-13-89 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Housing R 0 Continued high level of maintenance of basically sound buildings is required to stabilize re idential property values and to prevent the creation or spread of deterioration. The Ci y should develop a targeted code enforcement program to address problem properties an J owners. Housing abandonment and demolition has resulted in the loss of a substantial number of re idential buildings in the past. The extent to which this trend can be stopped and reversed will affect the potential for revitalization of the neighborhood and the amount of time required to return the area to a long -term sound condition. Every effort should be made to protect existing vacant buildings from further deterioration, and to market th se properties for rehabilitation and re -use. Vacant buildings that are seriously de eriorated and represent a threat to health and safety should be demolished. o R4habilitate Deteriorating Buil E I Ex isting housing rehabilitation efforts should be continued and intensified to upgrade existing buildings to a long -term sound condition and to improve the living conditions residing in the area. As previously noted, recent surveys indicate that approximately 450 residential buildings are in need of minor or major rehabilitation. Many of the buildings are owned and occupied by low- and moderate - income households with linaited ability to finance needed home improvements. The low value . of buildings, to ether with the high cost of rehabilitation presents financial feasibility questions in many cases. New housing on vacated parcels is needed to augment the supply of housing available to low- and moderate - income families, to restore the continuity of residential frontages, and to strengthen the appearance and quality of the area as a complete neighborhood. It is essential, however, that the design of new residential units be of reasonably good quality and be complementary to the neighborhood. Development of affordable housing w 11 require creative financing arrangements. ny small, vacant parcels located between older houses may not be large enough for v infill housing. These sites tend to be overgrown with weeds and littered with trash debris. Lack of maintenance of these sites contributes to the poor image and ap- rance of the neighborhood. A marketing program designed to encourage and ilitate purchase of these sites by adjacent property owners for clean -up and use as vate yard areas should eliminate the problems of poor maintenance. Safety aid Security 0 of imination and prevention of crime as the highest priority project of the City and ighborhood will require consistent and continuous efforts by law enforcement officials. 27