Nuisance ordinance, EARH annexation discussed at city council meeting

The city’s nuisance property ordinance was a topic of discussion at the most recent Ritzville City Council meeting on April 16, while the process continued for the eventual construction of a memory care center in Ritzville. In accordance with Chapter 3.36 of the Ritzville City Code, “Nuisances,” the City recently sent out a notice of violation on March 22 to a couple that several vehicles on their property were in violation of the city code. The couple attended the council meeting on April 16, and were seeking some answers on how they and the City could best resolve the outstanding issues. After the couple explained the current situation to the council and hoping that they could be granted six months to address the issues, Mayor Gary Cook explained that the City normally does not send out notice of violation letters unless they have received a complaint from someone. In this case, much of the issues are revolved around what constitutes a “junk” vehicle. The property owners explained that they have several “project” vehicles that they intend on restoring, but are unable to make consistent progress on. According to Chapter 3.36.030 of the Ritzville City Code, a vehicle is a “junk” vehicle when it meets at least three of the following requirements: is three years or older; is extensively damaged, such as having a broken window or windshield, or missing wheels, tires, motor or transmission; is apparently inoperable; or has an approximate fair market value equal only to the approximate value of the scrap in it. Chapter 3.36.030 also states that “project” vehicles may exist on private property “as long as obvious monthly progression in its restoration is being made.” Further, it states that in no case will a project care be allowed to remain on private property while inoperable for more than one year. For Cook, that means a vehicle that is being rehabilitated to get back on the road or to be licensed. He said that this part of the chapter is an advantage for the couple, because it gives them time to make sufficient progress. A “show cause” hearing will be set later in May where the couple will be able to explain the situation and describe progress that has been made since the first notice of violation letter was sent out. There, Cook said, the council would have the authority to grant more time to resolve the issues if it feels good progress has been made. The couple reiterated that they consider the vehicles in question to be “project” vehicles, and noted that it has two little kids and described themselves as low-income. They said that they get the needed parts for the vehicles when they have a little extra cash and can get them, but don’t see them being able to get the vehicles up and running within a year. The chapter also stated that a vehicle that is covered by a sight-obscuring fence on private property would be sufficient to addressing the issue. The couple asked whether a car cover would be satisfactory instead of a fence, but Cook said he didn’t see how that would replace a fence and noted that the ordinance doesn’t mention the use of a car cover. In other news, the Ritzville Planning Commission on April 10 unanimously agreed to a resolution to approve the amendment to the Comprehensive Plan Land Use (CPLU) map. The resolution was needed for the East Adams Rural Healthcare annexation request to move forward. The Planning Commission recommended to the council to amend the CPLU designation on the two parcels in question from an R-1 to an R-3 zone. An R-3 zone is a high density residential zone, and the purpose of an R-3 zone is to provide for a higher intensity residential area that integrates certain low intensity, nonresidential uses, according to the Ritzville City Code. The city code also states that R-3 zones “are appropriate where transit service is likely to develop in the future.” The parcels are located next to the Life Care Center, which is also owned by EARH. All of that property is being purchased by Gibraltar Senior Living, LLC, and will be developed into a memory care center. Gibraltar and EARH agreed to a Purchase and Sale agreement in July of 2018. According to Rhonda DeVito, a business development consultant for Gibraltar, the center will have various stages of care for comfortable living “in a very home-like setting.” DeVito added that the owner of Gibraltar is Vinson Latimore, and that he’s “very much looking forward to becoming a part of the Ritzville community.” The first public hearing regarding the annexation of the properties was also held at the beginning of the council meeting. Neither anyone from the public or the City spoke for or against the annexation.