(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 of the dangerous condition of any building with the hearing officer.
(C) Hearing testimony and decision. At a hearing prescribed by this subchapter, the hearing officer shall take testimony of the enforcing agency, the owner of the property, and any interested party. Not more than five days after completion of the hearing, the hearing officer shall render a decision, either closing the proceedings or ordering the building or structure otherwise made safe, properly maintained, or demolished.
(D) Compliance with hearing officer order. If the hearing officer determines that the building or structure should be otherwise made safe, properly maintained, or demolished, the hearing officer shall so order, fixing a time in the order for the owner, agent or lessee to comply with the order.
(E) Noncompliance with hearing officer order or request to enforce order. If the owner, agent or lessee fails to appear or neglects or refuses to comply with the order issued under § 91.24(D), the hearing officer shall file a report of the findings and a copy of the order with the Township Board, not more than five days after noncompliance by the owner, and request that necessary action be taken to enforce the order. The hearing officer shall also file the report of the findings and a copy of the order with the Dangerous Building Board of Appeals 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 § 91.23(D).
(Ord. passed 11-13-2019)