New Phila starts vacant property registry
Josh Mathias, New Philadelphia zoning and building code administrator, spelled out details of the city's new vacant property registry to city council.
Owners of vacant buildings in New Philadelphia must register them with the city within the next 90 days, according to Josh Mathias, the city’s zoning and building code administrator. Mathias outlined the new vacant property registry for city council at its March 25 meeting. Council voted to create the registry last year.
“I keep hearing about people who want to move here, and we’ve got dozens of houses sitting empty,” Mathias said. “Hopefully, this is a nudge to get the property owners to do something with those buildings.”
The new program applies to vacant residential, commercial and industrial properties. A fee will be charged depending on the type of property and length of time it has been vacant.
According to Mathias, there are some properties that will be exempt for anywhere from six months to one year. This includes buildings under active construction or renovation and those that are for sale, as long as they are listed with a realtor licensed by the State of Ohio.
A link to the registration form, a schedule of fees and a list of exempt properties can be found on the city’s Facebook page.
New connector trail discussed
Council member Dan Lanzer, chair of public works and economic development, reported on a meeting of the committee held earlier to discuss the ODOT project to construct a shared-use path connecting Kent State Tuscarawas and downtown New Philadelphia.
Council members Tom Simmelink and Cheryl Ramos both questioned the plan, voicing concerns about the safety of bicycle riders using a share-a-lane along East High Avenue. Ramos also had questions about costs and whether downtown parking places will be affected.
City Service Director Ron McAbier walked council members through the project funding, which is a combination of grants, state highway funds, the master capital fund and the service department’s engineering budget. In the end McAbier said the city is getting a $2.5 million project while only having to pay $30,000.
The project will include new curbs and driveway aprons for residents along East High Avenue, and the paving ODOT was scheduled to do next year will now take place this year.
Lanzer and committee member Steve Rippeth voted to move a resolution authorizing the project out of committee for a first reading before council. Ramos voted no.
Reports to council
Day briefed council on the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District’s plan to consolidate operations at a new location on Tech Park Drive Northeast. Day said the proposed campus design fits many aspects of the Tech Park founder’s vision with its proximity to Buckeye Career Center and the Kent State Tuscarawas campus.
Reporting for the planning commission, Day said he met with Compass Point Planning last week to revise the city’s regulations on signs. A first draft of new zoning code will be presented by Wendy Moeller of CCP at the planning commission meeting on April 9 at 1 p.m. in council chambers.
McAbier said the Community Development Block Grant paving project was awarded to Shelly Company for $125,980. He also reported on the stadium bleacher project, saying the general contractor is Dover Tank and Plate. The project is expected to be complete by Aug. 5.
McAbier also said a city-wide hydrant flushing is scheduled to take place April 7-14. He advised residents who experience dirty water during that time to run the tap on cold until the dirt clears out.
Parks and recreation chair Mitch Pace said the New Philadelphia Girls Softball organization raised $17,000 at its Night at the Races event, which it will use to build new dugouts on field eight at the Water Works Park.
Before adjourning, council moved into an executive session requested by Safety Director Greg Popham to address personnel issues.
City council meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers at the John Knisely Municipal Centre, 150 E. High Ave.