Controversial occupancy bill voted down
July 21, 2009
Lake Saint Louis, MO
At Monday’s Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen meeting, Bill No. 2916 was voted down. This bill would have directed all residential structures in Lake Saint Louis be subject to inspection and mandatory upgrades and repairs performed upon the transfer of ownership of that home. The intention, as stated in the bill, would be to protect public health, safety and welfare of the residents as well as to deter neighborhood blight and deterioration. Upon hearing the unanimous “nays,” many in the crowd of over 100 residents present cheered.
Members on the board stated they were inundated with e-mails and phone calls overwhelmingly opposing this proposed ordinance. Reasons for opposition include: the removal of freedom to use home repairs as a negotiation tool when purchasing a home; heirs would have to arrange and pay for costly upgrades before selling estate property; the concern that cosmetic upgrades and repairs to livable circumstances would cost home owners in addition to safety upgrades; and how this would affect selling a home “as-is.”
One reason cited for the need of this bill would be to standardize Lake Saint Louis occupancy inspections. Currently, fire departments conduct the inspections and Lake Saint Louis is serviced by three fire districts: Lake Saint Louis, O’Fallon and Wentzville. If passed, this ordinance would have made all Lake Saint Louis occupancy inspections meet the same requirements.
The aldermen proposed a task force be comprised of realtors, city staff and fire department representatives as well as residents both for and against items in this bill. This group’s mission will be to come to an agreement and present a fresh proposal which could come before city voters in the April, 2010 election.
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
