Boone County proposes code enforcement board

BURLINGTON – As Boone County’s population continues to increase, so do the code enforcement complaints.

“The suburban transformation of much of the county is creating some tensions with respect to care of property, nuisances, safety and use and enjoyment of property,” said Boone County Government and Community Relations Coordinator Matthew Webster.

A code enforcement ordinance was discussed at the Nov. 17 Boone County Fiscal Court meeting, and will be considered for a second reading during the Jan. 5, 2016, meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Boone County Administration Building, 2950 Washington St., Burlington.

A full copy of the ordinance is available on the Boone County website at http://bit.ly/1Q2NVV7.

Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore said the second reading is delayed to allow residents time to offer their input.

“This is a big step for our county,” Moore said.

Webster said residents who have concerns about nuisances, property upkeep and maintenance, have few avenues for resolution, and, in some cases, are forced to take the issue to district court. He said the current process is “cumbersome” and can produce “frustration for affected citizens.”

Webster reported nuisance and zoning complaints average 854 incidents a year, but when animal control and parking violations are included, “the number of complaints jumps to 3,500.”

“The process is very lengthy. Affected citizens become frustrated with the issue and with the county, and use and enjoyment of properties, safety issues and property values are often impacted,” he said. “As properties deteriorate, there’s no meaningful way to address a property until it literally becomes unfit for habitation.”

Webster and a group of county employees proposed a five-member Code Enforcement Board, appointed by the judge-executive and approved by Fiscal Court members, who will meet monthly to hear contested ordinance violations.

Most fines would cost $30, but amounts can go up for repeated offenses, and decisions could be appealed to the district court.

Webster said the process would preserve “all rights that currently exist” and respect “the diversity between rural and suburban areas of the county by exempting residential parcels of 10 acres or more.”

In addition to investigating complaints, code enforcement officers could write citations for observed violations, but they won’t be actively looking around for violations, he said.

Commissioner Cathy Flaig suggested Webster review the ordinance to make sure farmers’ rights won’t be affected, such as being able to operate heavy equipment after 10 p.m.

Want to continue the conversation? Tweet @AmyScalfNky