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Shelby village fights blight.
#VillageofShelby
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
SHELBY – If you don’t clean up the garbage in your yard, remove junk cars and furniture, or tear down dangerous structures in the village, you could get a ticket beginning Sunday, March 31.
The Shelby Village Council recently adopted a blight ordinance aimed at keeping the village cleaner and safer.
“This new ordinance has been something that the council and I have discussed since I was brought on board,” said Shelby Village Administrator Robert Widigan who was hired in June of last year.
“The ultimate goal behind this ordinance is to prevent, reduce, and eliminate blight and ultimately promote public health and safety in our community.
“Shelby Roars has been instrumental in supporting and pushing for a blight ordinance,” Widigan said. Shelby Roars is a volunteer community improvement team that recently formed in Shelby.
“Last year, the Shelby Area Community Assessment that was conducted by the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan and sponsored by the Community Foundation for Oceana County discussed the need to create and enforce a blight ordinance that was highlighted by multiple stakeholders.
“This is a new ordinance altogether, which establishes regulations and penalties to prevent, reduce or eliminate blight. It’s an addition to Part Six – General Offenses Code.”
To read the entire ordinance, visit the village’s web site, www.shelbyvillage.com.
If a citizen is impacted by a nearby “eyesore,” they should contact the village office. “We are developing a form that can residents can fill out and submit to the office,” the village administrator said. ”There are approximately 10 properties which come to mind that would be in violation of this new blight ordinance,” Widigan said. “As spring comes around, the Shelby Police Department and I will be monitoring and enforcing the newly-passed Blight Prevention and Elimination Ordinance.”
According to the ordinance language, first offenders will be fined $150 plus costs. Second and subsequent offenders will receive a $200 fine plus costs. A blight offender has 10 days to rectify the situation after being personally served the citation and 12 days after receiving it in the mail.
“Dangerous buildings, abandoned structures, junk or garbage, litter, etc. have a dramatic impact on a community,” said Widigan. “Blight lowers property values; negatively impacts the local economy; and dampens residents’ wellbeing and connection to their community. Neglect is evident in many of the rental units and other buildings throughout the community. Ultimately, the village is looking to engage and work with residents, business owners, and other stakeholders to collaboratively prevent, reduce and eliminate blight.”
This story is copyrighted © 2019, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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