[LNP | LancasterOnline] Columbia Council considers rewriting codes surrounding rental properties

Council President Heather Zink: The borough may consider fining property owners up to $600 a day until they comply with a violation. [File photo]

What happened: Council members have started work on changing the way the borough deals with residential landlords who fail to fix property issues, such as trash accumulation, pest infestation, overrun weeds and more.

What's new: The borough may consider fining property owners up to $600 a day until they comply with a violation, Zink said in the call.

What would change: Council members approved a "quick ticket" ordinance in 2014 that allows employees to issue tickets to property owners for neglecting routine upkeep. Fees start at $25 for the first violation, $50 for the second violation for the same incident and then $100 for the third time.

Problems: Some property owners, however, would rather pay the fines than perform maintenance, Zink said Aug. 28. In addition, landlords may appeal each quick ticket, which could draw out the process.

Quotables: "It can stretch out over a period of months," Lutz said Aug. 28. "In the meantime, the residents in the area are putting up with the problem." Borough Solicitor Evan Gabel offered a similar opinion. "The quick tickets, I think, are clouding up the process of getting a property into compliance," he said. "It's entirely unworkable."

What's next: Council will discuss the matter at the meeting Oct. 1.
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