Cape council to vote on measure to penalize owners of chronic-nuisance properties

The Cape Girardeau City Council will vote today on a measure that would penalize owners of chronic-nuisance properties.

Alex McElroy, director of development services, said the ordinance would allow the city to issue a notice to the owner of any property where nuisances have occurred at least three times during a 12-month period.

In a case involving illegal manufacturing, delivery or distribution of drugs, the ordinance would apply after a single incident.

The property owner would have 15 days to eliminate the nuisance.

In the case of rental housing, the remedy could involve the removal of a tenant who was at fault, according to city officials.

If the property remains in violation, the city attorney may request a hearing before the city's nuisance-abatement officer.

If the situation remains unresolved, the hearing officer could order the property be closed to occupancy for up to a year, said McElroy.

The one-year-closure penalty would be used only in the most severe cases, he added.

"My hope is that it is such an efficient deterrent that we don't have to use it," he said.

Landlords who screen prospective tenants and check their rental units regularly should have no problem with the ordinance, McElroy said.

Most landlords in Cape Girardeau do a good job of operating their rental properties, he said.

"We do have a good set of landlords in town," he said.

But the proposed ordinance would provide another tool for the city to deal with properties where there are chronic nuisances, he said.

Council members have voiced support for such a measure.

Under the ordinance, chronic nuisances would include activities involving illegal drugs and illegal possession, use or sale of firearms.

Other nuisances include prostitution, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages in public places, assaults, littering and "any activity that constitutes a felony or misdemeanor under federal or state law."

In a council agenda letter, McElroy wrote, "The goal of this new ordinance is to enhance the safety of the city's neighborhoods."

Some residents have complained to city officials in recent months about continuing nuisance problems in their neighborhoods.

Sharon Chapman, who lives in the 1700 block of Pemiscot Street, said many of the houses in her neighborhood are rental properties. College students living in those houses litter the neighborhood and hold loud, drinking parties, she said.

Many of the tenants are publicly intoxicated, and some urinate on the front lawn, said Chapman, who has lived in the neighborhood for 37 years.

"I hear the screaming and hollering," she added.

Chapman said beer cans have littered the yard of another homeowner.

Within a half block, as many as 20 cars are parked in the street, Chapman said.

"It's bumper to bumper. It's ridiculous," she said.

She said she has called the police several occasions. She said some of the college students have retaliated, throwing beer cans in her yard.

"They throw toilet paper up in my trees," she said. "They have egged my house three times."

Chapman said landlords have allowed nuisance tenants to continue to live in her neighborhood.

She said the proposed ordinance "gives me hope" the city will address the problem.

But Chapman said council passage of the measure alone won't solve the problem.

"They have to enforce it," she said.

Mayor Harry Rediger said he believes the measure will help the city deal with chronic nuisances.

"We are putting teeth into it. We want it enforced," he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

401 Independence St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.