New program to hold 'negligent property owners' accountable in the Tower District

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - A caller programme that aims to clasp "negligent spot owners" accountable and "bring beingness backmost to long-neglected storefronts" successful the Tower District passed Thursday.

Councilmember Annalisa Perea announced the transition of the Tower District Vacant Building (VBO) Pilot Program. The programme volition code semipermanent vacant commercialized properties that "undermine vicinity vitality and nationalist safety" and volition clasp "negligent spot owners accountable."

The VBO programme would besides promote "responsible stewardship and reactivation of long-dormant spaces."

“For excessively long, definite spot owners person near buildings successful the Tower District to deteriorate,
harming tiny businesses, stalling section investment, and inviting vandalism and crime," she said. “Our connection to spot owners is simple: either support your buildings and lend to the
success of your assemblage oregon look the consequences. We are protecting the bosom of Fresno,
supporting our tiny businesses, and lasting with residents who person demanded change.”

Key provisions of the aviator programme include:

• Owners of vacant commercialized buildings successful the Tower District indispensable present registry their
  properties with the city, providing cardinal interaction accusation and a vacancy plan.
• Properties indispensable conscionable minimum attraction standards and are taxable to inspection to
  ensure they bash not airs a nuisance oregon hazard to the public.
• A interest operation has been adopted to discourage prolonged vacancies and retrieve the
  city’s costs associated with enforcement.
• Property owners who neglect to comply whitethorn look escalating penalties and enforcement
  actions, including abatement and liens.

The programme volition statesman successful the Tower District, and the metropolis aims to exemplary a argumentation that tin beryllium expanded to different neighborhoods besides dealing with commercialized vacancies and blight.

The programme took effect instantly and is expected to tally for 18 months.