Bethel planning panel takes up vacant-building registry with fees rising to $1,000

Owners of buildings sitting empty in Bethel would have to register them with the city and pay a fee that climbs each year the building stays vacant, under a draft rewrite of the city's nuisance code returning to the Bethel Planning Commission on Thursday, Aug. 13. The commission meets at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 300 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, with Zoom access also available.

The draft ordinance defines a vacant building as one not lawfully used for residential or commercial purposes for 180 days, with exceptions for vacation and seasonal properties, buildings offered for sale or rent, and those under a building permit. The sale-or-rent exception applies only while a building has been vacant for less than 365 days and has been continuously offered in good faith since the 181st day of vacancy. The permit exception requires a valid, open and current permit, with the permitted work actively underway and completed within one year of the date the initial permit was issued.

Owners, and former owners of abandoned real property, would file a registration statement within 30 days, post a weatherproof no-trespassing sign with owner contact information, board and secure openings, and keep the lot clear. Annual fees would run $100 the first year, $500 the second, $1,000 the third, and at least $1,000 after that.

The rewrite also creates an enforcement order from the planning director that ordinarily allows no less than 15 days to fix the problem, with fines and liens on properties that don't comply. A shorter deadline may be required if a significant public health hazard exists. It expands what counts as a public nuisance to include attractive nuisances, unpermitted junk or salvage yards, unsightly premises, and significant visible mold in transient lodging.

An earlier Alaska News article on the draft policies noted the city is also weighing a demolition assistance program. Commissioners asked on July 9 for more information from the city manager and city attorney before further review. The ordinance would take effect only if passed by the Bethel City Council.

Written public comment goes to [email protected] by 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13.