City wants to fight urban blight

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May 01, 2009

By Damian Mann

Mail Tribune

The Medford City Council indicated Thursday it likely would support police efforts to create a registry of foreclosed homes to keep the vacant houses from becoming neighborhood nuisances.

"We're concerned about these homes becoming blighted homes," said Medford Police Chief Randy Schoen.

Police officials have identified 385 houses in Medford that have gone into foreclosure since last October.

Schoen asked the City Council to consider an ordinance that would require all vacant homes be put on a registry so law enforcement and code enforcement officers could keep an eye on the properties.

There would be no fees to have a house placed on the registry, but if the property owner failed to heed warnings to clean up or make repairs, the proposed ordinance could lead to a $250-a-day fine.

"Our mission is to seek voluntary compliance," said Sgt. Greg Lemhouse.

In other parts of the country, vacant homes have sometimes attracted vagrants and others who illegally move in, pay the utilities and go as far as setting up drug operations, said Lemhouse. So far, squatters haven't been detected in vacant homes in Medford, he said.

After reviewing the proposal, the council agreed to put the ordinance on a future agenda.

"This is a great program," said Councilman Greg Jones. "I applaud you guys for stepping forward and doing this."

If the ordinance is passed, police would contact banks and other local lending institutions to let them know about the registry.

Once a house becomes vacant, it would need to be placed on the registry.

Police and code enforcement also can add homes to the registry on their own if there is evidence of vacancy. They will look for such things as overgrown or dead vegetation, accumulation of trash or junk, an absence of window coverings, or evidence of trespass or criminal mischief. Information provided by neighbors would also help police determine whether the property is vacant.

Lemhouse said police view the registry more as a service to lenders and the community, rather than as a way to penalize property owners.

He said a run-down property is more difficult to sell. Also, blighted properties bring down the values in a neighborhood and make it more difficult for sales to be completed on other homes.

Councilman Ben Truwe asked Lemhouse how police will be able to tell the difference between a house that is vacant or is just between renters.

Lemhouse said that in these cases police will investigate the property. However, even if it turns out to be a rental property, Lemhouse said the city still expects the owner to keep it up to code.

Once a property is vacant, a lender would have 10 days to place it on the registry, which would contain the name of the lender, the mailing address of the lender, a contact name, a physical address for the lender's agent to receive legal notices and the contact information for any property manager.

The lender would be responsible for ensuring that the property doesn't become a public nuisance. Regular watering would be required to maintain vegetation, which also should be kept pruned. Pools and spas would have to maintained in working order so the water remains clear, or the pool or spa would have to be drained and covered.

All windows, doors and other openings would have to be secured so that intruders or children could not enter.

If the lender is out of the area, it would need to hire a property management company to perform the maintenance.

The city would also have the authority to require additional security lighting, frequent on-site inspections, hiring a security guard or other measures to prevent the decline of the property.

Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or dmann@mailtribune.com.

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