COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council introduced an ordinance Monday night that would update the International Property Maintenance Code for the city which was first adopted in 2002.
The agenda item helped draw a packed audience of concerned citizens into the Council Chamber.
City Attorney Amanda O’Boyle said in her memo to the Council that the updated version two years ago made larger reformatting changes and amendments than prior versions. In addition, O’Boyle said the City has been reviewing ways to address properties that remain consistently out of compliance with building and code standards.
The proposed ordinance reflect the changes to the 2024 Code and incorporates the Housing Law of Michigan.
According to O’Boyle, while a property owner can be taken to court, there is an alternative.
Thereafter, the matter would go before the City Council which has the final say. O’Boyle estimated the process would give the property owner one to two years to bring the property up to compliance.
Numerous audience members spoke out against the proposed ordinance including Michael Parker.
The ordinance was introduced on a 6-0 vote. Council members John Petzko and Jim Knaack along with Mayor Tom Kramer were absent on Monday night.
After being introduced, the ordinance is scheduled to come back before the Council for formal action on March 30.
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