(a) The owner or person in control of the vacant building shall submit a vacant building plan (VSP) to the Zoning Department with the initial registration, and said plan shall be approved by the Zoning/Building Inspector. The vacant building plan shall be selected from and include the minimum requirements from one of the three following categories:
(1) Demolition. If the vacant building is to be demolished, the VSP shall include a proposed time-frame for demolition which shall include a commitment date within thirty days of approval of the proposed demolition time frame and shall not exceed 180 days from the date of submission of the VSP.
(2) Secured building. If the vacant building is to remain vacant, the VSP shall contain all of the following:
A. A plan for fire alarm and/or fire protection approved by the Fire Chief.
B. A plan of action to remedy any public nuisance, Zoning Code violations, or other violations of the Village Codified Ordinances existing in the building or on the property.
C. A lighting plan for the exterior of the building and property, any walkways adjacent thereto, parking or loading areas, and night-time illumination of areas and walkways of the building and property which may be vulnerable to vandalism and vagrancy as approved by the Chief of Police.
D. A regular maintenance plan for all lighting on or in the building and on the property.
E. A plan for the maintenance of all structural openings, such as windows, doors, area-ways and other openings. For commercial buildings in the downtown business district the plan must avoid, if possible, the necessity of boarding up any first floor structural openings. For such commercial buildings, windows, doors, area-ways 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 established that shall be approved by the Zoning/Building Inspector.
F. A plan of action to maintain the vacant building and property, to keep the grass mowed, trees, shrubbery, and other vegetation trimmed, weeds controlled and abated, snow removed from any sidewalks, and to keep the property in general compliance with the vacant building maintenance standards set forth in Section 1246.08, and with all other applicable provisions of the Village Codified Ordinances.
(3) Rehabilitation. If the vacant 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 months. The Zoning/Building Inspector 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 as provided in Section 1246.08
at all times during rehabilitation.
(Ord. 2019-19. Passed 2-24-20; Ord. 14-2022. Passed 9-12-22.)