2018-014 Creating a New Registration Program for all Vacant Building in the Downtown Historic Overlay District

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AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, REPEALING ARTICLE IV, "SECURED BUILDING PERMIT," OF CHAPTER 7, "BUILDINGS AND DlING REGULATIONS," OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AND CREATING A NEW REGISTRATION PROGRAM FOR ALL VACANT BUILDINGS IN THE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC OVERLAY DISTRICT,: PROVIDING A PENALTY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE.- AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City includes a significant number of vacant structures in the downtown central area, many of which are old and/or in disrepair; and WHEREAS, such properties that are not properly and routinely maintained and repaired represent a threat to the life, health, and safety of City residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, such properties that are not properly and routinely maintained and. repaired often are or become fire hazards; and WHEREAS, such properties that are not properly and routinely maintained and repaired often attract vagrants, gang members, and other trespassers who may use the locations for criminal activity; and WHEREAS, such properties that are not properly and routinely maintained and repaired cause blight and financial instability that are not conducive to historic preservation .and financial reinvestment; and WHEREAS, in the case of emergency at any such building, it is vital that the City be able to promptly contact the owners thereof, and WHEREAS, the City and its Main Street program focus on the revitalization of the downtown central area through organization, promotion, design, economic vitality, marketing, planning, events and activities, and historic preservation; and WHEREAS, the City Council, with the support of the city's Main Street program, has determined that the public health, safety, and welfare are served by the creation of a registration program in the downtown Historic District of the city; and WHEREAS, current Article IV, "Secured Building Permit," of Chapter 7, "Buildings and Building Regulations," of the, Code of Ordinances of the City of Paris is inadequate to accomplish the goals set forth herein and should be repealed and replaced with the following ordinance;