November 29, 2000

Rules on unsafe buildings is right step

Tiffin's new unsafe building ordinance, which will take effect in three weeks, is a step toward a better city.

Even though every precaution must be taken to ensure the rights of property owners, there is no doubt that certain actions -- or inactions -- of property owners can erode the rights of others who own property.

Gray areas that crop up -- when courts are asked to decide what is unsafe, or a nuisance, or dangerous to health conditions -- make it difficult for rules against unsafe properties to be found constitutional.

We hope Tiffin's passes muster, if such a challenge is made.

Public officials need this sort of weapon to be able to action to prevent and/or clean up properties that present constant threats to nearby properties and their occupants.

And the "victims" of such circumstances will be happy to see progress being made that might bring them relief.

The City Council, which backed away from a housing code a few years ago, is moving in the right direction with this ordinance.