Smart policy in Marion

The city of Marion is trying a proactive approach to address vacant buildings. We think local leaders have struck a good balance between property rights and the need to address blight.

“Neglect of vacant buildings creates health and safety risk not only to the vacant property but the adjacent properties as well,” according to City Council documents reported by The Gazette’s Marissa Payne. “They often have junk, debris, and are overgrown with tall grass and weeds.

“Vacant buildings discourage economic development and depress the appreciation of property values. There is a substantial cost to the city for monitoring vacant buildings whether they are neglected or secured and maintained. This cost should be borne by the owners and not by the community.”

So the city is putting an ordinance in place that identifies the owners of vacant buildings and requires them to submit a plan that brings the properties into compliance with city codes. The council, which passed the ordinance on its first reading in November is expected to take up the issue again Dec. 21. The policy would take effect Jan. 1.

The August 2020 derecho damaged numerous properties and spurred Marion officials to act. Some dilapidated properties are in the uptown area, where local leaders have invested considerable resources creating a centerpiece for community events and entertainment.

As of September, citywide, 55 properties were subject to active code compliance cases and a dozen owners were ordered to abate nuisances/ Another 12 properties are the target of legal action.

Requiring property owners to present a plan for bringing vacant buildings up to code is a good approach. It not only requires nuisance mitigation, but it requires a proactive effort to address the property’s future. Properties must be registered with the city within 30 days of becoming vacant and a plan must be submitted 30 days after registration. Those requirements allow the city to act faster and keep properties from becoming a nuisance.

All cities face problems spawned by blighted, vacant properties. Marion’s approach is smart policy that can address existing problems and head off problems with vacant properties in the future.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com