Zoning, code issues spark debate over code enforcement
Zoning issues and code enforcement for handling rundown properties in Oswego were the focus of the biweekly committee meeting in the Oswego City Hall on Monday.
In regard to rental properties, Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow proposed an increase in the fee required to rent properties in the city of Oswego. The current rate is 30 dollars for three years per rented unit. The proposal by the mayor was to increase this amount to 150 dollars for every three years.
The debate over this grew heated at points with each viewpoint being expressed. The committee heard comments from Barlow, one landlord in the city of Oswego as well as a SUNY Oswego student who was personally affected by a condemned rental property.
Oswego resident, Deborah Engelke is a landlord in the city and she was adamant in her stance that landlords who are ‘doing the right thing’ should not have to pay for the mistakes of others. “I don’t know why we’re increasing the rate without increasing enforcement.”
In Barlow’s proposal he said that the increased rate is only to keep up with the times. Barlow said that rental properties shouldn’t be exempt from the free enterprise system. He made reference to the fact that one of his main campaign platforms nearly a year ago was code enforcement and creating a nicer city in terms of appearance and safety.
Additionally, Barlow said the money brought in by the increase would be used to further develop the code enforcement department in the city. “I believe landlords should pay their fair share and contribute to the department,” Barlow said.
One specific area of code enforcement dealt with Part 1203 of Title 19 of the NYCRR which pertains to fire safety code. Barlow said this would help to prosecute on unsafe properties. The hope for change for landlords who are renting unsafe or unsanitary properties would come by means of “choking off rent,” Barlow said.
SUNY Oswego student Alyssa Lopez was renting a property on 129 West Fourth St. which was condemned. Lopez originally notified the code enforcement office of uninhabitable conditions, citing the roof and front porch as the areas of concern. According to Lopez the porch seemed like it may collapse and the eve of the roof was rotting from pigeons flying in the roof and defecating inside of the roof.
Currently, SUNY Oswego has a list of off campus rental properties. This list contains 387 rental properties and 54 different landlords renting those properties.
The property that Lopez rented, which was eventually condemned, can be found on this list. Mayor Barlow and Lopez both said they would like to see a stricter screening process for this list. It should be noted that the top of the spreadsheet document it states, “Properties and landlords on the housing list are not an endorsement of the Director of Off-Campus Affairs, the Student Association At SUNY Oswego, or SUNY Oswego.”
Chairman Robert A. Corradino excluded himself from any voting on the issues regarding rental properties, because he himself rents properties in Oswego. He did participate in the discussion, but he decided that voting on the matters may be a conflict of interest.
There was one additional code issue that was brought up at Monday’s committee meeting. The issue involved the property owner of 203 West Seneca St. and Andrew Wittman, the owner of 205 West Seneca St. Wittman rents the 205 West Seneca St. property. Whitman hired a contractor to remove an iron and concrete wall, as well as extending the width of the 205 West Seneca property’s driveway.
The widening of the driveway resulted in the driveway going on to the 203 West Seneca St. property. Wittman did not believe he needed a permit for this project because of the advice he says he received from his contractor.
The fundamental issues raised were whether Whitman should have to change the renovations in any way, and what effects they have now. Too many cars trying to park in the driveway was a concern, as well as snow removal and how to differentiate the two properties. This issue like the other code issues discussed was tabled for later discussion.
Amy Birdsall, the Planning and Zoning Director, asked for a new slide to placed in the newly renovated Washington Park. Funding for this project has been offered by Novelis. The committee approved the installation of the slide on Monday.
The Oswego City Common Council will meet on Monday Sept. 26. The next Oswego City Committee meeting will take place on Monday Oct. 3.
