(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, unless a different meaning is clearly indicated in the context:
(1) “Charter” means the current Charter of the City.
(Ord. 39-17. Passed 6-18-2018.)
(2) “Deteriorated or Deteriorating Area” shall mean an area within the City which:
A. Contains a majority of aged structures, and where, because of such concentration of aged structures, public programs providing for the maintenance, repair, rehabilitation or improvement of such structures are necessary to be carried out in order to prevent the development or spread of conditions constituting blight throughout said area, and, in addition, also contains a substantial number of structures which by reason of age, deterioration or dilapidation are quantified and determined to be detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare because a substantial number of structures fail to conform in three or more respects to the provisions of the ordinances of the City relating to housing, building or sanitation; and
B. Contains an identifiable level of street right-of-way deterioration, and where, because of such conditions, public programs providing for the repair and replacement of such streets, and/or such curbs, aprons and sidewalks, are necessary to be carried out in order to prevent the development or spread of conditions constituting blight throughout said area.
(3) “Improvement Target Area” shall mean an area which is a Deteriorated and Deteriorating Area of the City, and has been designated as an Improvement Target Area for purposes of carrying out activities, in accordance with applicable regulations of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, which aid in the prevention or the development of deteriorated conditions in slum, blighted, deteriorated or deteriorating areas.
(4) “Citizens Advisory Committee” means the Citizens Advisory Committee of the City of Lakewood, Ohio.
(b) Preparation of Reports, Studies or Surveys by the Director of Planning and Development. The Director of Planning and Development may prepare, or supervise and coordinate the preparation of, reports, studies or surveys in connection with proposals for the designation of an Improvement Target Area, and for the carrying out of activities designed to prevent the development of deteriorated conditions in said areas. Subject to the availability of funds therefor, contracts may be entered into where necessary and appropriate for the employment of planning consultants or other professionals to assist in the preparation of such reports, studies or surveys.
(c) Nomination of Areas; Review by Citizens Advisory Committee; Reports to Council. Written nominations for the proposed designation of an Improvement Target Area shall be submitted to the Citizens Advisory Committee for its review and recommendations, together with supporting reports, studies or surveys. After making its review, the Citizens Advisory Committee shall provide its report and recommendations with respect to any proposed improvement target area to Council.
(d) Action by Council. Council may approve or reject the proposed designation of the Improvement Target Area, or make modifications with respect to the boundaries of the proposed area and approve such area as modified, provided that any such modifications which are inconsistent with prior Citizens Advisory Committee recommendations shall be resubmitted to the Citizens Advisory Committee for its review and recommendations prior to Council’s approval.
(e) Establishment of Program to Eliminate and Prevent Blight. The City Administration is hereby authorized to provide such information and certifications and to take such steps as are necessary and appropriate to establish programs for the prevention of Deteriorated or Deteriorating Conditions in the Improvement Target Area in the City, and, subject to Council approval where appropriate, to carry out such programs.
(Ord. 26-97. Passed 6-2-1997.)