Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - Town residents - mostly landlords - attended Tuesday's town council meeting to voice opposition to a proposed rental property registration and inspection ordinance.
Though the ordinance is still in the rough-draft stage, the residents were concerned that most of the provisions in the ordinance are included in county, state or federal housing legislation.
"We haven't heard a reasonable explanation from the town council for the need for this," a resident said. "There are only about four landlords the city has a problem with. Why is the ordinance really needed?"
Others asked how the ordinance would be enforced if the town is not adequately enforcing current housing laws, and why the ordinance would apply only to rentals and not to owner-occupied property.
Council president Brent Wilcoxson said the 1995 Housing Authority survey showed that the condition of properties in Winona Lake was directly related to whether or not they were owner-occupied or rental properties.
As new building codes are adopted, Wilcoxson said, they affect new or future housing, but cannot be applied retroactively to older housing.
He also said the town has a responsibility to tenants, who often are afraid to report violations for fear of being evicted.
The ordinance would require all owners of rental property to register their property and pay a fee of $15 per rental unit. The units would be required to be inspected every two years, when tenants changed or when violations were reported, for an inspection fee of $15.
No other council members offered opinions on the ordinance Tuesday, but in past meetings several members said they would favor applying the ordinance to multi-family housing only.
Wilcoxson said the council will continue to discuss the ordinance publicly, and that no vote will be taken until at least March.
In other business:
jj Town engineer Larry Long said the time frame for the island project street construction would be to start the base around the middle of March, concrete around mid-April, and asphalt in June. He predicted the streets would be finished by the end of August.
jj The council approved Long's proposal to start a topographical survey of a street connecting South Town Estates with Winona Lake. Construction of the proposed street, which would connect Boys City Drive to Roy Street, would not be completed for at least five years, Long said.
jj The council approved scheduling Winona Lake Days for July 4-5.
jj The council approved reducing Winona Hotel's minimum sewer bill of $225 to $27 for administrative fees. The hotel is not using water and has no water meter, said Wilcoxson, whose company is renovating the building. Council members approved Wilcoxson's request, but said the town's policy establishing the minimum amount charged for commercial buildings would be changed for everyone.
jj The council commended the town's street department for its work during the recent snow and wind conditions.
The next meeting is at 7:30 a.m. Jan. 28 in the community building.
