Council shall set a date for public hearing in regard to the existence of blight on the premises and the necessity for acquisition of the premises by the City in order to eliminate blight and prevent the recurrence thereof. Said hearing shall be held prior to the third reading of the ordinance by Council. Upon the fixing of a day for a public hearing, the Clerk of Council shall promptly cause notice to be given to the owner or owners of record of the premises and the known occupants thereof, if any, or the known person in charge of the premises, if any, notifying them of the time and place of the hearing and apprising them of their right to appear at such hearing to show cause why the premises should not be declared to be blighted or why the City should not acquire said premises for the purpose of eliminating blight thereon and preventing the recurrence of blight.
Notice of such hearing shall be given by:
(a) Posting the notice thereon on the premises; or
(b) Personal service; or
(c) Mailing such order or notice to the last known address of the owner or owners of record of the premises or person known in charge of the premises or to known occupants thereof; or
(d) Publishing the notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Zanesville.
(e) At the required public hearing, the legislation shall be read and shall constitute prima facie evidence of blight on the premises and the need for the City to acquire such premises in order to eliminate the blight and prevent recurrence of blight thereon. Thereafter, the owner or owners, person in charge, occupant of the premises or any person having an interest therein may proceed to show cause why the premises should not be declared blighted or the City should not acquire said premises for the purposes of eliminating blight or preventing its recurrence. At the hearing, the owner or owners, person in charge of the premises or occupant may cause to be presented to the committee or committees of Council any records of the City pertaining to issues relevant to the hearing and may examine City employees in regard thereto; provided that the production of such records or the presence of such employees is required by the owner or owners, person in charge or occupant of the premises in writing at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.
(f) If the owner or owners, person in charge or occupant of the premises does appear and presents testimony for the purpose of showing cause why the premises should not be declared blighted or the City should not acquire the premises for the purposes of eliminating the blight and preventing recurrence of blight, the director requesting the legislation, or designated representatives, shall proceed to present evidence to Council of the existence of blight on the premises and the need to acquire the premises for elimination of the blight and the prevention of the recurrence of the blight thereon. Members of the general public residing in he neighborhood or who may otherwise have knowledge of the condition of such premises may address the committee or committees at the public hearing in regard to the proposed action by the City. Council may adjourn the public hearing, from time to time, and grant continuances in order that further argument or evidence can be presented in regard to the existence of blight on the premises or the need for the City to acquire the premises in order to eliminate blight or prevent the recurrence of blight thereon.
(Ord. 2024-30. Passed 2-26-24.)