Irmo Council Wrap Up: Ordinances, Grants & More
A summary of Irmo Town Council's regular meeting Tuesday night.
First reading of amending the Irmo Town Code to include a chapter on "landlords of residential real estate" was approved by town council members Tuesday night.
The amendment calls for a landlord of a leased property in the town of Irmo to ensure his or her property is "reasonably maintained" and "is not unsightly from public view."
The amendment addresses several areas the landlord must maintain including roofs, siding, landscaping and fencing.
The landlord also has to register the property with the town and pay an annual business license fee of $50 for each home.
Council member Paul Younginer said he received several complaints from residents about homes in poor conditions and cars parked on the grass.
Younginer showed pictures of homes in town that are in need of repair or in need of landscaping. The pictures included homes that had damaged roofs, rotting siding and overgrown grass.
Younginer said he toured neighborhoods along with Mayor Pro Tem Barry Walker Sr. and town attorney, Jake Moore, after receiving complaints from residents in the Old Friarsgate community.
The ordinance amendment is an attempt to begin addressing those concerns.
Council members asked that the amendment be reviewed by the town's Planning Commission before moving forward for second and final readings.
In other business, council:
- Approved appointments for municipal clerk, town attorney and town judge, reappointing Kim Stanley, Jake Moore and Judge Joseph Epting, respectively.
- Approved second reading of an ordinance to annex nine properties located in Lexington and Richland counties.
- Approved second reading of an ordinance to amend the code concerning "Smoking in Public Places of Employment."
- Approved submitting a sidewalk grant in the amount of $60,122.50 for Palmetto Wood Parkway with the town match of $12,025.
- Approved submitting a sidewalk grant in the amount of $93,570 for Chillingham Road, St. Albans Road and Eastview Drive with the town match of $18,714.
- Accepted deeded property located at Palmetto Wood Parkway (land for veterans park)
- Discussed contracting street cleaning services, and removal or disciplining council members.
Colnzgprnts
10:30 pm on Sunday, April 8, 2012
This ordinance opens some serious questions about property rights and goes to the very heart of the constitution.
The ordinace as proposed by the council brings about radical changes to what the owner can do on his property and it increases the taxes paid by 'landlords' who rent or lease their property, But the biggest change which will result from this ordinance if passed, it will give tenants a hammer with which to punish landlords and it will give neighbors an opportunity to legally harass the people who choose to be landlords. The power of the badge is there for those who wish to make life miserable for the landlords - this is not the original purpose of government.
Our council is following in the steps of those who are proponents of Obamacare by asking citizens of irmo to give up some of their cherished freedom in turn for economic security in the form of 'increased home values'. Those of us who place a high value on our personal freedoms say the price is too great and it is a false promise!