Williamston will enforce vacant building ordinance

Although the Williamston Downtown Vacancy Ordinance was approved by the town’s Board of Commissioners on March 7, 2022, enforcement of the ordinance has not been a top priority. Until now.

The 14 vacant buildings in Williamston’s Central Business District (CBD) will come under this action. Williamston Town Planner and Zoning Administrator Andrew Brownfield sent a letter to property owners on July 3 advising them Town Ordinance 2022-08 would soon be enforced.

Brownfied was appointed to that position in May and has been working closely with Planning and Downtown Marketing Coordinator LaShonda Cartwright to improve downtown Williamston’s aesthetics.

Bringing the vacant buildings into compliance is a step in that direction, according to Brownfield.

Enforcement of the ordinance began on Monday, July 15.

“After this date, property owners in the downtown area will be required to reach compliance with the rules of the ordinance within 30 days,” Brownfield explained in the letter.

When the ordinance was approved over two years ago, its purpose was outlined clearly.

“The intent of the ordinance was to establish a vacant property registration ordinance as a mechanism to preserve the historic integrity of Williamston’s Historic District and to protect the town’s commercial districts from becoming blighted through the lack of adequate maintenance and security of abandoned and vacant properties,”explained Brownfield.

The town finds the presence of properties exhibiting evidence of vacancy pose special risks to the health, safety and welfare of the community and therefore require heightened regulatory attention.

Property owners need to make sure the following requirements are followed to alleviate heavy fines.

Any vacant property within the Central Business district must be registered with the town’s planning department. Registration must include all pertinent ownership and contact information.

Property owners must also pay a $15 registration fee annually while the building remains vacant.

The fee will be waived if the property owner claims the building will be occupied or sold within 30 days of registration, according to Brownfield.

There is also criteria under the ordinance property owners need to meet and maintain. Central Business District (CBD) vacant buildings have to display a painted and maintained exterior including awnings and trim.

All first floor street level windows and doors need to be in-tact and there can be no stored materials, debris or other items offering the appearance of a vacant building in the windows.

If a building owner resides more than 40 miles outside of Williamston they are required to hire a property management company to maintain the premises. Buildings under property management are required to conspicuously post a sign on the property with contact information for the property manager.

There are penalties involved for non-compliance and the clock began ticking on July 15.

“Any property owner that fails to register their vacant property or otherwise violates the ordinance may be subject to civil penalty in the amount of $50 per day. Each day is considered a separate violation.

Since the letter went out earlier in the month, activity has already begun.

Leticia Vasquez, owner of the building at 104 West Main St. had taped off the front of her building and was readying for repairs.

Brownfield has not received any push back from any of the building owners receiving notices.