UPDATE: Oak Creek officials have just announced a significant overhaul of the town’s nuisance code to enhance enforcement and address long-standing property issues. This urgent move shifts nuisance complaints from a political arena to a court-based civil infraction system, aiming for a cleaner, safer community.
The proposal was discussed during the January 22, 2024, meeting of the Board of Trustees, led by Town Administrator Louis Fineberg. Officials are eager to implement changes to Title A of Oak Creek’s code, which governs nuisance abatement for problems like junk accumulation and derelict buildings. Fineberg emphasized the need for a clearer, more enforceable system, stating, “As the code is currently written, it’s not really enforceable.”
Under the proposed changes, nuisance violations will no longer be decided by the Board of Trustees. Instead, code enforcement officers will issue written requests to property owners to correct violations within a specified timeframe, such as seven days to remove debris or secure abandoned buildings. Failure to comply will lead to citations and cases brought before municipal court, where judges can impose fines or other remedies.
Mayor Melissa Dobbins described the plan as “the real deal,” reflecting community desires for effective code enforcement. “A lot of members on this board are saying, ‘Code enforcement — we want this done appropriately, it’s time to clean up our town,’” Dobbins remarked. She acknowledged potential tensions that could arise during implementation, urging unity among board members.
The proposed system aims to eliminate political pressure on enforcement decisions, ensuring that courts handle the legality of allegations. Fineberg pointed out that if an allegation lacks substance, “the court decides that,” fostering a fairer environment for code enforcement.
Fineberg’s experience in other communities highlights the challenges of lax enforcement. He noted, “The town had let me know that they wanted to pursue code enforcement because they felt it was too lax here.” Complaints about unsecured vacant buildings and accumulated junk are common, making the current convoluted code nearly impossible to enforce effectively.
In an effort to simplify regulations, the new draft combines Oak Creek’s existing language with more straightforward elements from Steamboat Springs. Fineberg stressed that enforcement must be clear-cut, saying, “When it comes to enforcement, it needs to be black and white.”
Trustees discussed how the changes might affect long-time residents, particularly those struggling to comply with stricter regulations. Dobbins pointed out the sensitivities involved, particularly for elderly community members facing challenges in cleaning up properties they have inherited. “It’s not as simple as saying, ‘clean it up,’” she noted.
No formal vote occurred at the meeting, but Fineberg plans to present a revised draft to the board on February 26, 2024, after further legal review. The goal is to finalize the new code and put it into effect by spring.
As Oak Creek moves forward with this urgent initiative, officials remain committed to addressing the most severe nuisance issues while being judicious in their approach. Fineberg concluded, “You don’t want to be overbearing with this stuff… you really want to reserve it for where you need to apply it.”
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and the board prepares for critical discussions in the coming weeks.
