Title
Municipal Regulation, Taxation and Disposition of Vacant and Blighted Buildings - For the purpose of respectfully requesting that the Maryland General Assembly amend the Local Government and the Tax - Property Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland to authorize municipalities organized under Article XI-E of the Maryland Constitution, including Annapolis, to address public health and safety issues associated with vacant and blighted buildings.
Body
CITY COUNCIL OF THE
City of Annapolis
Resolution 29-15
Introduced by: Mayor Pantelides
Referred to
A RESOLUTION concerning
Municipal Regulation, Taxation and Disposition of Vacant and Blighted Buildings
FOR the purpose of respectfully requesting that the Maryland General Assembly amend the Local Government and the Tax - Property Articles of the Annotated Code of Maryland to authorize municipalities organized under Article XI-E of the Maryland Constitution, including Annapolis, to address public health and safety issues associated with vacant and blighted buildings.
WHEREAS, the Code of the City of Annapolis currently provides limited options to deal with nuisances associated with vacant properties that are ineffective generally in motivating the property owner to take timely action to prevent further waste of such property; and
WHEREAS, the Code of the City of Annapolis currently provides a single remedy in cases where the owner of a blighted property unfit for human habitation refuses to undertake and complete repairs necessary to correct the conditions that present a hazard to public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland does not currently empower municipalities to establish and maintain a registry of vacant and blighted buildings, nor to establish misdemeanor status or civil penalties associated with the failure to register a vacant or blighted building; and
WHEREAS, the Tax - Property Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland does not currently empower municipalities to establish and maintain special tax rates applicable to vacant and blighted buildings at rates greater than would apply to buildings that were not vacant or blighted; and
WHEREAS, the Local Government Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland does not currently empower municipalities to establish and maintain a special purpose fund comprising a Remediation Fund specially designated to administer facilitated registration, inspection, and remediation programs; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and Alderpersons of the City of Annapolis desire to establish more effective means to minimize public health and safety issues associated with vacant and blighted buildings and have recommended that the City of Annapolis seek amendment of the Annotated Code of Maryland to address public health and safety issues associated with vacant and blighted buildings.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City of Annapolis respectfully requests that the Maryland General Assembly empower municipalities to establish a registry of vacant and blighted buildings and associated sanctions, and establish and maintain special tax rates applicable to vacant and blighted buildings.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the City Clerk shall send a copy of this Resolution to the Maryland Governor, the Speaker of the House of Delegates, the President of the Senate and the Maryland Municipal League.
EXPLANATION
CAPITAL LETTERS indicate matter added to existing law.
Strikethrough indicates matter stricken from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments.