ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
NICKERSON, Kan. — So far reaction to a new Nickerson city ordinance regarding vacant property has been somewhat muted.
So far we haven’t heard a lot. We’ve only heard from a few homeowners that are in unique situations,” Nickerson City Clerk April Beshears said. “They have houses that they are keeping up, they’re not a health or safety hazard, their yards are mowed, there’s no broken windows...but they’re using those houses for storage.”
Under the ordinance property owners with vacant homes or structures will have to work with the city to try and find either new tenants or owners for the vacant parcels. The city says they will wave building permit fees and come up with other incentives to entice owners to make improvements or sell.
The ordinance also requires building owners to pay a registration fee of $50 for a home and $100 for a commercial building. Owners will also have to pay the minimum utility fee each month. If nothing happens to the property in the first year the registration fee goes up to $250 for a home and $500 for a commercial building. Beshears says they hope to address some of those issues during the next city council meeting.
“It’s going to be a work in progress,” Beshears said. “ I need to get the council back together at the December meeting.... I think some of the issues will have to be discussed with our attorney and see if we can keep that balance.”
Beshears says she doesn't want this to be a burden on property owners but a way to bolster the city’s housing and business stock. The city sent out 22 letters to property owners involving 43 structures.
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