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Community Development Director Gladhill noted that while that was a larger problem in 2008 <br /> when foreclosures where high, that has declined as an issue as the number of foreclosed <br /> properties has decreased. <br /> Mayor LeTourneau used an example of a resident that expressed concerns with a neighboring <br /> property that has long grass and home occupation violations. He stated that was a rare example <br /> of one of those worst-case scenarios. He recognized how the community has changed over time <br /> as the development has continued to change from rural to more developing and the newer <br /> residents tend to have less tolerance for some of the violation issues. He stated that it seems as <br /> though the standards are more relaxed in the rural areas of the community and stricter in the <br /> developed areas because of the resident expectations. He stated that it often seems that some <br /> residents know how to "game the system" to get through an entire season without solving the <br /> problem. <br /> Community Development Director Gladhill stated that originally, the City used certified mail, <br /> but residents determined that they could refuse the certified mail and therefore the City <br /> discontinued that method. <br /> Councilmember Johns agreed that there is a problem on certain cases with the time that it takes <br /> to come into compliance, which can stretch over multiple seasons. She was unsure how that <br /> could be addressed, suggesting that perhaps the timeline to address the violation shrinks for <br /> repeat violations. <br /> Community Development Director Gladhill agreed that if there is a reoccurring issue the trigger <br /> would be quicker, the ability to grant extensions would shrink, and the administrative fines <br /> would increase. He stated that in regards to the rural versus developed areas, the process needs <br /> to be equitable. He stated that some zoning standards are more relaxed in the rural areas but <br /> noted that some of the more complex violation cases occur in the rural areas. <br /> Councilmember Johns stated that she would like staff to review what is allowed as she believes <br /> that some of the allowed issues are excessive. <br /> Community Development Director Gladhill stated that staff will see how the new approach <br /> works in the next season, but noted that it would be dependent upon the development review that <br /> is needed in 2019 as well. <br /> Councilmember Johns stated that she would perhaps support being more proactive on the main <br /> corridors but would support complaint-based reaction for residential areas. She noted that if <br /> there are repeat offenders, perhaps staff should continue to follow up on those properties to <br /> ensure that violations do not continue to occur. <br /> Community Development Director Gladhill stated that there is not sufficient staff to switch to a <br /> proactive approach City-wide. He stated that there have been times when staff has done <br /> proactive violations on the main corridors, but there was a large pushback from the business <br /> community. <br /> City Council Work Session/December 11,2018 <br /> Page 4 of 6 <br />