The owner or person in control of the vacant commercial or industrial building shall submit a Vacant Building Plan that shall be approved by the Fire Chief. The Vacant Building Plan shall be selected from and include the minimum requirements from one of the three following categories (a), (b) or (c):
(a) Demolition. - If the vacant commercial or industrial building is to be demolished, the Vacant Building Plan shall include a proposed time frame for demolition which shall include a commencement date within thirty (30) days of the approval of the proposed demolition time frame and shall not exceed one (1) year in duration.
Demolition of any building or structure under any permit shall not be considered complete until:
(1) The contractor or resident-owner has removed all lumber, rubble and other building or structural materials and debris and all demolition equipment from the graded premises, or, at the owner's request, has piled it neatly upon the premises, in such a manner so as not to constitute a public nuisance, hazard, or possible rodent harborage;
(2) The contractor or resident-owner has broken and removed all foundations or slabs to not less than two feet below the ground surface, and has filled all basements, trenches, or other depressions with not less than two feet of compacted earth, or as otherwise provided herein, graded neatly to the existing established grade level, unless a building permit has been issued for a structure which will make use of the foundation or slab remaining after demolition; and
(3) The Bureau of Buildings, Inspections, Licenses and Permits has issued to the contractor or resident-owner a certificate of final inspection, which certificate shall be issued when the provisions of this chapter have been satisfied.
(b) Secured Structure. - If the vacant commercial or industrial building is to remain vacant, the Vacant Building Plan shall contain all of the following:
(1) A plan for fire alarm and fire protection as required by the Fire Chief.
(2) A plan of action to remedy any public nuisance existing in the building or on the property.
(3) A lighting plan for the exterior of the building and property, walkways adjacent thereto, parking or loading areas, and nighttime illumination of areas and walkways which may be vulnerable to vandalism and vagrancy as determined by the Chief of Police.
(4) A regular maintenance plan for all exterior lighting and illumination fixtures.
(5) A plan for maintenance of all structural openings, such as windows, doors, areaways, and other openings to avoid the necessity of boarding up.
Windows, doors, areaways, and other openings that are located on the first floor and facing the street shall not be papered, soaped, blacked out or boarded up and to avoid the appearance of vacancy, a form of display shall be set up that shall be approved by the Fire Chief or designee.
(6) A plan of action to maintain the vacant commercial or industrial building and property in compliance with the Vacant Building Maintenance Standards set forth in Section 1515.08 of this Chapter.
(c) Rehabilitation. - If the vacant commercial or industrial building is to be returned to lawful occupancy or use, the Vacant Building Plan shall include a rehabilitation time frame for the building and property. The rehabilitation time frame shall not exceed twelve (12) months. The Fire Chief may grant an extension of time upon receipt of a written statement from the owner detailing the reasons for the extension. All applicable laws shall be complied with and all required permits shall be obtained. The building shall be kept secured and in compliance with the Vacant Building Maintenance Standards and provided in Section 1515.08 of this Chapter at all times during rehabilitation.
(Ord. 67, 2016. Passed 10-3-16.)