Pendleton City Council ponders ordinance for vacant downtown buildings

PENDLETON – The Pendleton City Council has asked staff to work on a proposed ordinance to govern vacant storefronts in the downtown area.

“It’s really trying to clean up the spaces that we have, make them attractive for development, and for people who want to come into those spaces,” Mayor McKennon McDonald said.

Staff is recommending several provisions be considered. They include requiring property owners to register vacant storefronts or downtown buildings in the downtown area and renew that registration by Jan. 31 of each year. One item the council will need to determine is the fee that will be charged for that permit.

The proposed ordinance also suggests the owners must maintain their vacant storefronts, ensuring all ground-floor and display windows be kept clean and functional. The proposed ordinance would also include the owner’s or owner’s agent to submit an approved vacant storefront plan that includes a plan of action to market it for new tenants.

All of this is still in the discussion stages. A public hearing will be held before such an ordinance can be enacted. The issue is not on the agenda for the next city council meeting on Tuesday.

The full text of the proposed ordinance is on the agenda for the Nov. 18 Pendleton City Council meeting at City of Pendleton – Meeting Information.

File photo of Mayor McKennon McDonald from the city of Pendleton

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Elkhorn Media Group