Monessen: Property buyers may be forced to fix code violations

By KRISTIE LINDEN

klinden@yourmvi.com

Those who purchase properties in Monessen may soon have to contend with a new ordinance aimed at forcing owners to bring dilapidated structures up to code sooner than later.

Council held a first reading of a new ordinance this month that will require those who purchase any building, property or structure in Monessen to bring it into compliance with city code within one year of the purchase date or face penalties.

City Solicitor Tim Witt said this ordinance will act in accordance with existing state laws that target blight by requiring property owners to keep properties up to code. Witt said this will help cut down on those who seek to buy city properties but live out of state and then end up letting derelict buildings languish without fixing them   up. 

Witt said such purchases are often made as tax write-offs for the buyers, some of whom have little interest in fixing properties.

The new property owners will be required to make reasonable attempts to abate nuisance violations that relate to maintenance, health, quality of life or safety within one year of the date of sale.

At the same meeting, Mayor Matt Shorraw introduced a grant application that seeks $300,000 to stabilize the former Health Mart building at 500 Donner Ave. While discussing that grant, Shorraw said that if this ordinance passes its second reading, anyone who would purchase the building after it has been stabilized would be required to bring it up to code within a year or be fined.

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