(A) Every person in charge of a historic property shall keep in good repair the following:
(1) All of the exterior portions of the buildings or structures.
(2) All interior portions thereof which, if not so maintained, may cause the exteriors of buildings or structures to deteriorate or to become damaged or otherwise fall into a state of disrepair.
(B) The purpose of this section is to prevent a person from forcing the demolition of his building by neglecting it and permitting damage to the building by weather or vandalism. No provision of this chapter shall be interpreted to require an owner or tenant to undertake an alteration or to restore his building to its original appearance for that purpose only.
(C) The Commission shall request in writing a meeting with a property owner when his historic property is in poor repair, and the Commission shall discuss with the owner ways to improve the condition of his property. The notice shall also inform the owner that, if he does not make satisfactory progress in improving the condition of the property within thirty (30) days of the notice, the matter shall be heard at the next regular meeting of the Commission following the thirty (30) day notice, at which hearing the property owner shall be entitled to appear before the Commission.
(D) If at the hearing the property owner fails to show just cause why he has failed:
(1) To prevent the property from becoming unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or use, or
(2) To remedy any condition which is dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of the occupants of the structure, the occupants of neighboring structures, or other residents of the city, the city shall, at the request of the Commission, undertake necessary remedial measures, including but not limited to boarding doors, windows, and other parts of the building, and additional steps to stabilize walls, roofs, and other parts of a building or structure.
(E) The city shall have a lien against the property for the reasonable value of labor and materials used in remedying the situation. The affidavit of the Code Enforcement Officer or Historic District Coordinator shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amount of the lien and the regularity of the proceedings pursuant to this chapter, and shall be recorded in the office of the Anderson County Clerk. The lien shall be notice to all persons from the time of its recording and shall bear interest thereafter until paid. The lien created shall take precedence over all other subsequent liens, except state, county, school board, and city taxes, and may be enforced by judicial proceeding.
(F) In addition to the remedy prescribed in division (F) of this section or any other remedy authorized by law, the owner of a property upon which a lien has been attached pursuant to this section shall be personally liable for the amount of the lien, including all interest, civil penalties, and other charges and the Commission may bring a civil action against the owner and shall have the same remedies as provided for the recovery of a debt owed.
(G) The provisions of this section shall be in addition to all other provisions of the Kentucky Building Code and Chapters 92 and 150 of the Ordinances of the City of Lawrenceburg requiring buildings and structures to be kept in good repair.
(Ord. 2006-02, passed 2-13-06) Penalty, see § 155.99