(A) Appointment of Hearing Officer. The Hearing Officer shall be appointed by the Township Supervisor to serve at his or her pleasure. The Hearing Officer shall be a person who has expertise in housing matters, including, but not limited to, an engineer, architect, building contractor, building inspector, or member of a community housing organization. An employee of the enforcing agency shall not be appointed as a Hearing Officer.
(B) Filing dangerous building notice with Hearing Officer. The enforcing agency shall file a copy of the notice that the building or structure is a dangerous building with the Hearing Officer.
(C) Hearing testimony and decision. At a hearing prescribed by this chapter, the Hearing Officer shall take testimony of the enforcing agency, the owner of the property, and any interested party. Not more than 5 days after completion of the hearing, the Hearing Officer shall render a decision either closing the proceedings or ordering the building or structure demolished, otherwise made safe, or properly maintained.
(D) Compliance with Hearing Officer order. If the Hearing Officer determines that the building or structure should be demolished, otherwise made safe, or properly maintained, the Hearing Officer shall enter an order that specifies what action the owner, agent, or lessee shall take and sets a date by which the owner, agent or lessee shall comply with the order. If the building is a dangerous building under § 98.02(J) of this chapter, the order may require the owner or agent to maintain the exterior of the building and adjoining grounds owned by the owner of the building including, but not limited to, the maintenance of lawns, trees and shrubs.
(E) Noncompliance with Hearing Officer order/request to enforce order. If the owner, agent or lessee fails to appear or neglects or refuses to comply with the order issued under § 98.05(D) of this chapter, the Hearing Officer shall file a report of the findings and a copy of the order with the Township Board not more than 5 days after noncompliance by the owner and request that necessary action be taken to enforce the order. The Hearing Officer shall file the report of the findings and a copy of the order with the Township Board and request that necessary action be taken to enforce the order. A copy of the findings and order of the Hearing Officer shall be served on the owner, agent or lessee in the manner prescribed in § 98.04 of this chapter.
(Ord. 19-233, passed 4-16-2019)