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Municipal League proposal is sound

Dilapidated, often unsafe, buildings are a problem in many communities, ours included. Finding the money to do something about them is just the first obstacle local leaders must overcome. If a structure’s owner cannot be persuaded or forced to do something about his property, the municipality has to pay to have it demolished, if it cannot be saved.

Time is another enemy of efforts to eliminate buildings that have become health and safety concerns. Under current state law, it can take up to two years before a city or town is cleared to tear down a dilapidated structure.

One time-consuming, expensive step is a requirement that in such cases, municipalities must gain circuit court approval.

That rule should be eliminated, officials of the West Virginia Municipal League believe. They want the Legislature to eliminate the circuit court requirement.

Obviously, property owners’ rights need to be protected. Towns and cities cannot be given the authority to move in quickly with bulldozers and backhoes without making diligent efforts to notify property owners and persuade them to either repair or raze their buildings.

In some situations, such as when a dispute exists as to whether a building actually is a health and safety hazard, an appeal to circuit court probably is appropriate.

But when there is no question a structure needs to be repaired or demolished, delaying the process serves no one.

Legislators should consider the Municipal League’s proposal. As long as appropriate safeguards for property owners remain in the law, there is no reason to make time and technicalities delay the process of ridding our communities of unsafe, unhealthy eyesores.

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