Nearly a third of all structures in Nome are vacant. That’s according to City Planner Eileen Bechtol. At a joint work session between the Planning Commission and City Council held yesterday afternoon, Bechtol urged the council to take action.
“The bottom line is that we would like see vacant and unsafe buildings boarded or put in such a way that kids can’t [enter] them or drug deals won’t happen,” Bechtol said.
Along with attracting illegal activity, Bechtol explained vacant structures also bring the property value down for nearby homes.
The Planning Commission presented the City Council with an ordinance that would require all vacant properties to be registered and maintained.
City Manager Tom Moran said the ordinance would give the city more leverage.
“It’s a fine system now, but what this is doing is replacing it with one that gives us more tools to deal with some properties that aren’t being addressed,” Moran said.
The City Council was receptive to the issue at the joint work session, but asked for further clarification of the issue before the first reading of the ordinance on April 11.
