ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – The city of Elmira is taking new action in its “fight on blight.” In a unanimous vote Monday, the city council approved a new “fee schedule” for vacant buildings.
The change in the city code department does, however, provide exceptions for owners who are: actively deployed in the military, are receiving long-term care at an assisted-living, nursing or healthcare facility, or “depart Elmira for the winter months,” as long the property is secured and has no active code violations.”
The new fee schedule lowers the “annual vacant building fee” from $500 to $250 for the first year of vacancy for “residential buildings of one to three units.” A fee for a second year of vacancy was lowered to $500. The previous schedule called for a subsequent annual fee of $500 plus $100 for every following year, with a cap of $1,000 per year,…