14 - Quarterly Update on Downtown Paris Vacant Building RegistrationItem No. 14
Memorandum
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and City Council
Grayson Path, City Manager
FROM: Andrew Mack, AICP Director Planning & Community Development
Robert Talley, Code Enforcement Supervisor
Cheri Bedford, Historic Preservation Officer/Main Street Coordinator
SUBJECT: Quarterly Update on Status of Downtown Paris Vacant Building Registration
DATE: May 9, 2022
BACKGROUND & DISCUSSION
The following information is a brief summary overview of the City's Downtown Vacant Building
Registration Program. A more detailed PowerPoint presentation will be at the Council Meeting.
1. The HP -1 Historic District Vacant Building Registry Ordinance was adopted on April 23,
2018.
2. There are a total of 197 parcels in Downtown Paris.
3. In 2021 there were approximately 38 properties on the list of vacant structures, or
approximately 22% of the total buildings in Downtown Paris.
4. In 2022 there were 44 properties on the list of vacant structures, or approximately 22% of
the total buildings in Downtown Paris.
5. The reason for changes in the number of vacant buildings between 2020 and 2021 is due
to a number of factors including:
a. More detailed input of data (including the addition of placement of for -sale properties
and properties receiving fee waivers on the list).
b. Enhanced organization in the program as a result of administrative changes by providing
a staff team approach.
c. Multiple ownership changes.
6. February 1, 2022 letters were sent out to all property owners of vacant structures requiring
annual registration under the ordinance.
7. Follow up to the mailings has included direct verbal contact with approximately 43% of
vacant building owners to date. The CD Director added this step in 2022 as a positive
outreach effort. The reason for these conversations was due to there being a very small
percentage of vacant building owners voluntarily willing to contact staff to discuss their
requirements to register and explore options for building improvements. A meeting with
the owner of 7 other properties were scheduled the week of this report writing.
8. Property owner responses to staff contact have been mixed. They include the following:
a. Voluntary compliance.
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b. Understanding the reasons for the regulations.
c. Asking questions about planned renovations.
d. Fee waivers.
e. Questions or uncertainty of code requirements.
f. Putting their properties up for sale.
g. Expressed concern of the ordinance need as a result of being required to comply, and
suggesting it be repealed.
9. As of the date of this report, a total of 3 properties have paid their registrations. There are
15 pending properties pending receipt for registration.
10. The 2" d round of registration enforcement letters are tentatively scheduled to go out in the
next month or so.
11. Full compliance with registrations may be anticipated by summer of this year following
the mailing of code compliance enforcement letters.
12. Staff recommends that further consideration and guidance should be given by City Council
to further incentivizing renovations of buildings as recommend to the Council by the Main
Street Advisory Board and HPC.
Summa
No action by Council is required. A quarterly report will be produced moving forward for the
Council. Further refinements to the administrative procedures are anticipated for the next round of
the vacant building registration program for 2023. This will include the following measures:
• Expansion into all historic districts and vacant residential structures.
• Enhanced communication measures with vacant building owners.
• Closer examination of the funding incentives for encouraging vacant building renovations.
• A more accurate inventory and accounting of vacant building properties in relation to the
new quarterly reporting program for the City Council.
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