Friday, April 19, 2002
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Friday, April 19, 2002 |
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Union City nixes idea of rental inspections By JANET
MCGREGOR
When all the dust had settled, The Union City Council decided not to implement rental property inspections. The council tackled the controversial issue during this week's meeting. The issue has evoked spirited debate across the country and has resulted in numerous lawsuits from those on both sides of the issue. The debate between Council members closely mimicked the ongoing lines of debate in other cities privacy rights versus the rights of the government to ensure decent and safe housing. Mayor Ralph Moore came down firmly in favor of the inspection of rental properties. Noting the increasingly transient nature of the community and the "substantial inventory of older homes," he said, "It is incumbent upon this board to protect assets." He urged the council to look on inspections not as "a form of hassle, but a form of preserving the community and ensuring that we have safe and affordable housing." Council member Shirley Jackson voiced strong objection to rental inspections. Stating she felt the inspections would "discriminate against those who rent," she said, "I don't think we have slum lords." Jackson also noted that the cost of inspections would potentially increase the price of rents. Council members batted concerns and questions regarding privacy rights of tenants, government intrusion, the issue of discrimination between rental properties and homeowners and the effect of poorly kept rental properties on the property value of neighboring homes. After considerable debate and numerous questions regarding specifics, the council voted not to implement inspection of rental properties. In other actions, the City Council voted to approve a four-way stop at the intersection of Highpoint Road and Ravenwood Road; approve a three-way stop at the intersection of Lower Dixie Lake Road and Deer Lane at Deer Creek subdivision; and to approve an application from Dr. Velvet McDonald to move three buildings into the City. The City Council approved the rezoning of 0.66 acres on Watson Street from general commercial to residential single-family. The C.U.P. Moratorium was extended for an additional 45 days and financing through the Georgia Municipal Association for the new public safety sub-station was approved.
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