Town of Orange property owners will soon be asked to fix up vacant homes after town council approved a new ordinance this week.
Orange Mayor Chuck Mason says the goal of their new ordinance isn't to bully property owners into meeting certain regulations. He just wants properties fixed up, and has his eye on four specific locations.
Orange Town Council approved a new ordinance that will require properties that have been abandoned to be fixed up, sold or removed.
Town Manager, Greg Woods said something needs to happen, "when you've got a structure that is burned out, that's not being taken care of, and has property owners on either side of it complaining that, hey, you've got to take care of this cause it devalues my property."
In addition to hurting property value, neighbors worry that these homes are also a safety hazard.
Hawley Christensen is a neighbor of an abandoned property in Orange. "I was astounded to hear that the house has been damaged somewhere between eight and 12 years and the thing that concerns me the most is kids playing in the house," explained Christensen. "I have heard them playing and climbing up the stairs and talking about going up stairs and downstairs and into the basement and I'm really very worried about them."
Homeowners that are deemed derelict will have 30 days to respond to the ordinance, at which time they will have 90 days to submit a plan for removal or renovation.
If no response or plan is made, the town has the right to take matters into their own hands.
Mayor of the town of Orange, Chuck Mason, said, "We want people to talk a little pride in their ownership, take care of their property, if you want to sell it fine, maintain it while you sell it and be a good neighbor to the people around you."
The mayor says that the last thing they want to do is kick anyone out of where they live or work.
Their goal is to improve locations and neighborhoods and encourage everyone to take care of their properties.
