SILER CITY — Siler City has battled nuisance violations and derelict properties since the economic downtown of 2008 and the closure of its major chicken processing plant that year.
Now, the town is seeking new vendors to assist in cleaning up town properties that violate town ordinances and state housing codes as well as grants to help those of low-and-moderate incomes repair their homes.
Siler City officials have been trying for some time to find new ways to improve the appearance and safety of properties within the limits. Since contracting with State Code Enforcement Inc., a Greensboro company that assists municipalities with code enforcement, last year, the town has also implemented several new processes to deal with rectifying code violations.
At State Code Enforcement’s suggestion, the town began contracting last year with a lawn service, Green Revival Landscaping of Siler City, to handle nuisance complaints for grass longer than eight inches. If property owners don’t comply with ordinances on long grass, the town sends the service to mow, based on terms agreed to by the Siler City Board of Commissioners. The town initially pays the vendor, but then charges the homeowner not only cost of the service, but an additional $180 fee. If that cost is not paid, the town initiates a lien on the property until the debt is paid.
At its meeting Monday, the town’s board decided to renew the contract with Green Revival Landscaping for the service.
This year, the town has decided to also contract with other vendors who would be willing to assist with different kinds of nuisance complaints beyond grass. Nuisance complaints range from the removal of refuse to old and unsafe materials and even the demolition of buildings. According to Siler City Planning Director Jack Meadows, the process for assigning duties would involve a sealed bid package from approved vendors.
“We want as many vendors as possible,” Meadows said to handle the myriad violations that may arise.
According to Meadows, State Code Enforcement Inc. is working on compiling a list of homes that are in need of remedy. During an interview with the News + Record earlier this year, the code enforcement officer, George McDuffy rated nearly 100 homes based on severity of the violation and condition of the properties, many of which are abandoned.
Investigations start either by a complaint or by something the code enforcement officer notices while canvassing Siler City. The goal is to rectify properties that violate code, which could be based on either town ordinance or by state statute under minimum housing standards. Minimum housing code generally includes things like heat, collapsing walls or roofs, broken windows or other structural deficiencies that may cause a hazard. Other violations, which are more closely related to the town’s ordinances, include creating breeding ground for pests, garbage and debris, and items with rough or jagged edges that may cause a health or safety hazard.
While the town board decided on a lawn maintenance contractor on Monday, officials extended the deadline to apply to be a vendor for other nuisance-related work because of the limited number of vendor applicants.
CDBG Grant
Siler City is seeking a grant from the state to assist with home repairs for low-and-moderate income homeowners.
On Monday, commissioners approved contracting with Holland Consulting Planners, Wilmington-based company that has been assisting municipalities with grants since 1987. The company will prepare the application for the Community Development Block Grant for Neighborhood Revitalization, which is managed through the N.C. Dept. of Commerce. If the grant is awarded, the company will also administer grant, which could be up to $750,000.
“The town has done a program of identifying minimum housing code violations [through State Code Enforcement Inc.],” Meadows said. “They drew out some data and after talking to some folks we thought this might be a good fit for an application.”
State Code Enforcement has identified 110 housing units found to be in violation since 2019. While 11 of those have been abated, 99 units remain in violation. Of those, 12 are owner-occupied, 33 are renter-occupied and 54 are vacant. This grant will only apply to owner-occupied homes.
Meadows noted that these 12 may not be the only ones that qualify for the grant. Holland Consulting Planners will conduct additional surveys of the town and may take other steps to identify additional homes that may qualify, according to Meadows. Suggestions for potential projects will be solicited, both verbally and in writing, from all interested parties, Meadows said.
Once that survey is complete, the grant process requires the town board to hold a public hearing, which is scheduled for July 20, prior to the submittal process. The town will learn at the end of 2020 if the grant is awarded. If so, the hope is that work will begin in mid-2021 for repairs, according to Meadows.
“This is an opportunity to help folks with low-and-moderate incomes and have home improvements that are needed,” Meadows said.
For more information or to apply for consideration, contact Jack Meadows at 919-742-2323 or jmeadows@silercity.org.
Casey Mann can be reached at CaseyMann@Chathamnr.com.