By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com reporter
MOUNT VERNON — The Municipal Planning Commission has approved a proposed change that will rectify a long-standing flaw in the city’s ordinance regarding nonconforming and abandoned signs. Ordinance 1175.10, passed in November 2007, defines a nonconforming or abandoned sign, determines who decides whether a sign is nonconforming or abandoned and how such a sign should be repaired or maintained. However, it makes no provision for enforcing removal of an abandoned signs. The city has four such signs:
*112 N. Main St. (formerly Drown Law offices), abandoned June 2013.
*208 W. High St. (Mazza’s Restaurant), abandoned June 2008.
*506 Coshocton Ave. (the former Lawson’s sign at the current site of Ron’s Pizza), abandoned March 18, 2015.
*808 Coshocton Ave. (formerly Friendly’s Restaurant), abandoned March 18, 2015.
Judy Cordle of the engineer’s office confirmed the property owners for 112 N. Main St. and 208 W. High St. received notification the signs were declared abandoned. “Beyond that point, there is no vehicle to make sure the sign is removed,” she said.
Joel Daniels, property maintenance enforcement officer, listed three proposed changes to the sign ordinance: *Determination of abandonment will be made by the zoning enforcement or the property maintenance enforcement officer rather than the Board of Zoning Appeals
*Language added providing for notification to the property owner, a 30-day time frame for removal and the ability for the city to act if the property owner does not comply. If the city removes the sign, the property owner will be billed for costs; in the event of nonpayment by the property owner, the city will place a lien on the property and collect the removal costs with property taxes.
*Allows a property owner to appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals within 20 days
Daniels said the Board of Zoning Appeals endorsed the proposed changes. “It makes the process more like the other processes we go through in that it makes the Board of Zoning Appeals the appellate body,” said City Law Director Rob Broeren. “I think it will perhaps speed the process up a bit. … It allows the zoning enforcement officer to make a decision,” said Cordle, adding that it offers the chance for appeal as well. The commission approved the dedication of Woodlake Trail between Yauger Road and Coshocton Avenue. City Engineer Cameron Keaton said the city owns the roadway, but the roadway must be formally dedicated to the city. “This is the last piece of the puzzle to put this project to rest,” he said. The commission also recommended a lot split on Ohio 229. The lot straddles the city-county line; plans call for the property owner to build a home on the site. City water and sanitary services are already available; however, the homeowner will have to pay the costs associated with hooking into the city lines.
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