By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
When it comes to certificates of occupancy, some in Bucyrus are seeing it as an invasion of privacy.
Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tyler Jacobs addressed the issue during Thursday night’s Bucyrus City Council committee meetings after hearing a presentation from the Richland County Building Department.
“It’s in the hopes that the new proposals of the regulations are in the best interests for the property owners and the business owners – even more, new businesses that are going to come in that are going to have to follow these new regulations,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs added that he received phone calls and heard concerns from the public over a belief that such permits may be a violation of privacy.
“It’s going to be a burden for potential new businesses that might have to follow these new standards against the previous business that was grandfathered in,” Jacobs said. “I just stress that we make an effort for the community to have a clearer understanding of these rules and regulations.”
The Health and Safety Committee seemed to agree that more information was needed before any kind of decision was made. Though the committee briefly discussed the new information they received, the members felt it would be best to hear from Fire Chief Jay Keller after it was indicated that the fire department would be most impacted.
Jared Dickey, Director and Commercial Plans Examiner, and Ken Arthur, Chief Building Official with the Richland County Building Department, explained that their office was the licensing agent for six counties: Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Richland, Seneca, and Wyandot. The building officials typically look at how a building will be used, the number of people permitted in it, specialized requirements, and the square footage.
“This really defines how that space is used,” Dickey said. “It’s the onus of the owner to have that certificate if asked or if required.”
According to Dickey, a certificate of occupancy typically applies to non-residential properties, which exempts one-, two-, and three-family homes and agricultural buildings. The permits were not, however, always required by the state.
The city began looking into certificates of occupancy after the former Eckleberry Poultry building fire in November 2015. Many believed the building to be vacant at the time of the fire, but former fire captain Gordon Grove said at a Bucyrus City Council meeting a few weeks later that some fire personnel were aware that there was an apartment in the building.
The permits have also been brought up when council members and city officials discuss derelict properties.
Though certificates of occupancy took up a large portion of the meeting, the real fireworks came during the Public Lands and Buildings Committee portion. Chairman Dan Wirebaugh read a letter from fellow council member Bruce Truka in regards to the board being formed for Tree City USA. In the letter Truka accused Mayor Jeff Reser of promising to allow him on the board, but reneging on that when the mayor allegedly stated council members were not allowed on the board, a matter that Truka researched and proved to be false.
In response, Reser felt that Truka already had plenty to do as a council member and a member of the Crawford Park District Board of Park Commissioners and Bucyrus Tourism and Visitors board. He added that he wanted to make the board 100 percent exclusive to the community.
“You point blank told me I was on it and then you turn around and say elected officials aren’t,” accused Truka, who has a degree in horticulture from The Ohio State University and wished to serve on the board as an elected official in addition to the five-member board.
As Reser attempted to defuse the issue, Truka continued to fire retorts until the even-keeled mayor volleyed back.
“You’re on the county board for parks. You’ve shown up to one meeting in 10 years. One meeting. The tourism bureau – they never see you. Why would I want you on the Tree Commission?” Reser asked. “You want to make this an embarrassment for me? I didn’t want to embarrass you in public. You would be the last person I would want on this commission.”
Reser added that the five-member board was already selected from a final batch of 15 qualified people.
The Public Lands and Buildings Committee rejected to push for eminent domain on property located at 510 N. Sandusky Ave. All four members expressed displeasure in forcibly taking property from a community member.
“I don’t want to be the city who takes things,” said Wirebaugh. He suggested coming up with an amicable solution with the owner, Clay Korner.
Law Director Rob Ratliff felt the funds for demolishing and fixing the property could be put to better use at 214 E. Perry St., which burnt down recently and poses a safety hazard until it is demolished.
Korner said he was open to continuing discussion, but expressed his concerns over transparency of the issue. He brought the matter up at Tuesday’s meeting, but the council members denied any knowledge of eminent domain being pursued at the former Good Eats property.
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