Mac City Council will crack down on cities nuisance properties

The City Council discussed the vacant nuisance properties located in McIntosh during the last Council meeting on April 14th. 

The City Clerk, Elena Boianoff has been contacting or trying to contact the owners of the properties that the City Council has deemed to be nuisance properties in the City.

McIntosh enforces the Minnesota Basic Code. Under  code 92.16 Public Nuisances Affecting Health, it states that any accumulations of unwholesome food or vegetable matter, pools of stagnant water, accumulations of refuse or other debris, noxious weeds and other rank growths of vegetation upon public or private property, are considered to be of nuisance and violate the MN Basic Code.

Along with that, there is also code  stating that the outside parking and storage on residentially-zoned property of large numbers of  vehicles and materials, supplies or equipment not customarily used for residential purposes in violation of the requirements set forth below is declared to be a public nuisance.

Included in this is that is is unlawful to keep, park, store or abandon any motor vehicle which is not in operating condition, partially dismantled, used for repair or kept for scrapping, dismantling or salvage of any kind. As well as any vehicle not properly licensed for operation with the state. This does not apply to anything enclosed in a building or kept out of view from any stret, road or alley and which does not foster complaints from any resident of the City. A privacy fence is permissible and acceptable.

Buildings, fences and other structures which have been so poorly maintained that their physical condition and appearance detract from the surrounding neighborhood are also declared to be nuisances. They are considered unsightly and adversely affect property values. 

A nuisance exists when it obstructs views on the streets or private property, creates a cluttered and otherwise unsightly area, decreases adjoining landowners” and occupants” enjoyment of their property and neighborhood ad otherwise adversly affects property values and neighborhood patterns. 

The City of McIntosh may, at any time, enforce the proisions relating to nuisances through Abatement. 

Abatement defined is the removal of a problem which is against public or private policy, or endangers others.

Through this process the  City of McIntosh sends written notice of a violation. The notice of violation will specify the steps to be taken to abate the nuisance and the time within which the nuisance is to be abated. 

Should the property not be abated, the person who owns the property will be personally liable for the cost to the city of the abatement. 

A copy of the General Regulations and Basic Code are available online at https://www.revisor.mn.gov/pubs