§ 21-103. Remediation or redevelopment.

(a)

A property owner or person(s) who is chargeable with the payment of ad valorem taxes on real property which has been officially designated pursuant to this article as property maintained in a blighted condition may petition the public officer to lift the designation, upon proof of compliance with the following:

(1)

Completion of work required under a plan of remedial action or redevelopment approved by the city manager, or his designee, which addresses the conditions of blight found to exist on or within the property, including compliance with all applicable minimum codes; or

(2)

Completion of work required under a court order entered in a proceeding brought pursuant to articles I through III, of chapter 13, "Nuisances", of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Dublin, Georgia.

(b)

Before action on a petition to lift the designation, the public officer shall cause the property to be thoroughly inspected by a building inspector who, by written inspection report, shall certify that all requisite work has been performed to applicable code in a workmanlike manner, in accordance with the specifications of the plan of remedial action or redevelopment, or applicable court order. Upon finding required work to be satisfactorily performed, the public officer shall issue a written determination that the real property is no longer maintained in a blighted condition. Copies of this determination shall be served upon the person(s) chargeable with the payment of ad valorem taxes, and upon the city clerk of the City of Dublin.

(c)

All plans for remedial action or redevelopment shall be in writing, signed by the person(s) chargeable with the payment of ad valorem taxes on the real property and the chief building inspector, and contain the following:

(1)

The plan shall be consistent with the city's comprehensive plan and all laws and ordinances governing the subject property, and shall conform to any urban redevelopment plan adopted for the area within which the property lies;

(2)

The plan shall set forth in reasonable detail the requirements for repair, closure, demolition, or restoration of existing structures, in accordance with minimal statewide codes; where structures are demolished, the plan shall include provisions for debris removal, stabilization and landscaping of the property;

(3)

On parcels of five (5) acres or greater, the plan shall address the relationship to local objectives respecting land uses, improved traffic, public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities, and other public improvements;

(4)

The plan shall contain verifiable funding sources which will be used to complete its requirements and show the feasibility thereof;

(5)

The plan shall contain a timetable for completion of required work; and

(6)

Any outstanding ad valorem taxes (state, school, county and city, including the increased tax pursuant to this article) and governmental liens due and payable on the property must be satisfied in full.

(d)

(1)

Any written determination by the public officer that the property is no longer maintained in a blighted condition which is dated on or before the due date of the property tax bill for the property in question shall relieve the property owner of the increased taxation rate for that bill. Any written determination by the public officer that the property is no longer maintained in a blighted condition which is dated after the due date of the property tax bill for the property in question shall not relieve the property owner of the increased taxation rate for that bill.

(2)

If a property owner is dissatisfied with the determination made by the public officer that the property continues to remain in a blighted condition, the property owner may petition the Municipal Court of the City of Dublin for a hearing regarding the same. The petition must identify the property in question, the name of the property owner, the individual bringing the petition on behalf of the property owner, if any, and a certification that the property is no longer being maintained in a blighted condition as defined herein. The petition must be verified by the petitioner and submitted to the Municipal Court Clerk along with a fifty dollar ($50.00) filing fee. The Municipal Court shall cause a hearing to be scheduled and notice served on the petitioner, public officer, and the city attorney of the date of the hearing, which is to be scheduled within sixty (60) days of the date the petition is filed. Said hearing may be continued by the municipal court judge for good cause shown. During the pendency of any petition as provided in this subsection (d)(2), the increased taxation amount shall not be subject to any late fees or penalties, however, all regular ad valorem taxes due the City of Dublin (the base amount) shall be paid timely according to the tax notice and subject to late fees and penalties. The municipal court judge shall issue an order, after holding a hearing, with the Judge's determination as to whether the property is being maintained in a blighted condition, by a preponderance of the evidence. The order shall be served on the petitioner, public officer, city attorney, and city clerk. If the municipal court judge determines the property is no longer being maintained in a blighted condition, the property shall not be subject to the increased taxation as required herein. If the municipal court judge determines the property continues to be maintained in a blighted condition, the increased tax amount shall be due and payable within thirty (30) days of the filing of the order with such determination.

(Ord. No. 16-15, 12-1-2016; Ord. No. 17-15, § 5, 10-5-2017)