02 City Council Min 08-05-04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Regular City Council Meetrng August 5, 2004 Page 4 PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED $2000.00; APPROVING REHABILITATION STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO SAID DISTRICT; WAS PRESENTED. Councilman Wilson made a motion to approve the ordinance which was seconded by Councilwoman Wilkerson. Councilman Bell said this ordinance was just for the overlay district, but does not force people to maintain property. He felt the City was lax in enforcing areas of South Main, Church Street and especially S.W. lst Councilman Wilson said we need an ordinance for demolition by neglect, which states if a property owners business is falling down because they won't do simple repairs, then the City can do something. Councilman Bell said since the Council is removing certain property owners rights, we need to pass an ordinance with economic incentives for the people to comply.Councilman Wilson says Bonham delays raising taxes on certain houses, if the owner fixes up their house. Mayor Fendley opened the Public Hearing back up and Martha Bone, downtown area property owner, came forward, felt the Council was putting a burden on middle income people. Rita Buford came forward said she believed in Preservation and she and her husband has done all of the work on their home, paying for it with their own money. She said the taxes went up three times when they painted the house. The motion passed 4 ayes, to three nays, with Councilmans Bell and Poston and Councilwoman Fisher voting no. Mayor Fendley opened the public hearing to consider amending Zoning Ordinance No. 1710, changing the zoning to designate an Historic Structure and establishing an Historic Overlay District No. 4(HD-4) on Part of Lot 12, City Block 52, being number 714 Graham Street.