UPDATE: Oak Creek officials are taking decisive steps to revamp the town’s nuisance code, shifting enforcement from a political process to a court-based civil infraction system. This urgent overhaul aims to tackle ongoing issues of neglected properties and enhance community safety, with the next crucial meeting set for February 26, 2024.
At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, Town Administrator Louis Fineberg presented a proposal to rewrite Title A of the town’s code, which addresses nuisances like junk accumulation and derelict buildings. This change is a response to increasing complaints from residents about unsecured vacant properties and unsightly local conditions.
“This is something we’ve been discussing for several meetings now,” Fineberg stated, emphasizing that the current “quasi-judicial” enforcement model is ineffective. The proposed system, inspired by Steamboat Springs, would streamline enforcement, allowing code violations to be handled directly in municipal court, rather than under the political oversight of the Board of Trustees.
Under the new proposal, code enforcement officers will issue written requests for property owners to rectify violations, with a set timeframe—typically seven days—to comply. Failure to do so will result in a citation and a court appearance where fines or other remedies may be imposed.
Mayor Melissa Dobbins expressed strong support for the initiative, calling it “the real deal” and crucial for the community. “A lot of members on this board are saying, ‘Code enforcement — we want this done appropriately, it’s time to clean up our town,’” Dobbins noted. However, she also acknowledged potential tensions that could arise from stricter enforcement, urging the board to work collaboratively.
Fineberg highlighted the importance of creating a fair, legally sound enforcement process to minimize political pressure. “If there’s no substance to an allegation, the court decides that,” he said. This shift aims to ensure consistent enforcement without favoritism or bias.
The proposed reforms come in response to longstanding issues within Oak Creek, where existing codes have proven difficult to enforce. Fineberg described the current regulations as “convoluted,” making it challenging to address complaints effectively. He aims to simplify the language and procedures to eliminate ambiguity.
Residents have expressed concerns about how these changes may affect their communities, particularly older homeowners who might struggle with compliance. Dobbins pointed out the need for sensitivity, recognizing that many residents have deep-rooted ties to their properties and may find it challenging to adapt to new regulations.
Fineberg reassured that enforcement will focus primarily on the most egregious violations, rather than a broad crackdown on all nuisance issues. “You have to be judicious about what actions are taken and limit it to the most extreme examples,” he stated.
The Board of Trustees did not take a formal vote at the meeting, but Fineberg plans to present a revised draft of the enforcement code on February 26 after consulting with the town attorney and municipal judge. The goal is to finalize the new code in the coming months, ideally implementing it by spring.
As Oak Creek moves forward with this significant enforcement overhaul, residents are urged to prepare for the changes ahead. The town’s commitment to improving code enforcement signals a pivotal moment in addressing community concerns and enhancing overall property values.
Stay tuned for more updates as Oak Creek officials finalize the details of this critical initiative.
