COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council will not move forward with formal action on a proposed update to the International Property Maintenance Code during its meeting on Monday evening.
The ordinance, which seeks to update standards first adopted in 2002 to reflect the 2024 International Code and Michigan Housing Law, has become a flashpoint for city residents in recent weeks.
The proposal was originally introduced March 9 with a 6-0 vote, though Mayor Tom Kramer and Councilmembers John Petzko and Jim Knaack were absent from that meeting
In a text message obtained by WTVB, Councilman Randall Hazelbaker said the council will not have the vote as they are re-looking at the wording and taking consideration of public opinion on the subject.
Mayor Tom Kramer said via text, “It will be coming back in the next meeting or two with some possible adjustments to make more sense and hopefully provide some protections, to make sure future councils could never use it to abuse the process”.
City Attorney Amanda O’Boyle said at the March 9 meeting that the update is intended to address properties that remain “consistently out of compliance”.
Under the proposed rules, property owners could face a process lasting one to two years to bring buildings into compliance before matters reach the City Council for a final decision.
The City Council is expected to revisit the timeline for the ordinance in future sessions as they weigh the proposed standards against the significant community pushback.
It isn’t acceptable with regardless of how it is worded. Just drop it!