By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
A public hearing set for 7 p.m. Monday, April 25, at the Dowagiac City Council meeting will consider declaring 208 Miller St. a public nuisance.
On March 30 the Dowagiac Police Department voiced a concern about vagrants using this abandoned structure owned by Morris Livers of 507 Chestnut St.
Police noted early on April 5 that the structure had once again been occupied. It was boarded the morning of April 6 to prevent its further use. The code enforcement report lists numerous property defects, interior and exterior.
Because of the safety concerns, and it being used by unauthorized individuals, the public hearing is necessary to remove this hazard.
If the council deems the structure a nuisance and requires that it be removed, if it is not, demolition would be completed and all associated costs would be recovered through placement of a special assessment on the property.
According to the code enforcement report, the one-story, wood-framed, single-family residence was built around 1940 and has been vacant since 1997.
The structure with 744 square feet of living area has a 2005 state-equalized value of $11,798 and a true cash value of $23,596.
Since Bradford estimates repairs would cost $50,000 to $60,000, he recommends demolition.
Council gave first reading to a zoning code amendment recommended April 4 by city planners to reduce political sign restrictions in light of recent court challenges, including against St. Joseph.
Under the new ordinance the city won't be able to limit the number of yard signs or the amount of time they can be placed prior to an election, but Dowagiac will still regulate the size of signs (six square feet) and enforce that they be removed within 14 days after an election.
Council also gave first reading to a subdivision control ordinance recommended by planning consultant Langworthy, Strader and LeBlanc during the recent zoning code review.
City planners April 4 recommended establishment of a process and standards for review of plats, engineering and design standards.
Many aspects of this ordinance are currently contained in other code sections or administrative policies that will be consolidated to deal with applications for new subdivisions.
The appointment of City Clerk James Snow as assistant election coordinator to County Clerk-Register Barb Wilson for Dowagiac Union High School, Lewis Cass Intermediate School District and Southwestern Michigan College was approved.
Council authorized Finance Director David Pilot to pay bills totaling $409,053.81.
Council concluded the April 11 meeting in closed session with City Manager Bill Nelson and City Attorney Mark Westrate to discuss negotiations related to the sale or lease of real property.