FROSTBURG — Due to a substantial increase in the number of rental units in Frostburg and to clean up issues involving the housing guidelines, officials have proposed updates to the rental housing code.
“We have had a large increase in rental units,” said Frostburg Community Development Director Elizabeth Stahlman.
Officials attribute the increases to new construction in both student and senior housing.
“It’s been two years since the last time any new changes to the code were adopted,” said Stahlman.
In addition to its own rental housing code, two years ago Frostburg adopted the International Property Maintenance Code, which is widely accepted across Maryland.
“Working with the ordinance, we had realized that it didn’t work as intended,” said Frostburg City Administrator John Kirby.
“We needed to face the fact that we had differences between the city’s code and the IPMC,” said Kirby.
“Now we are going to defer to the IPMC.”
“It’s not going to be stricter,” said Stahlman. “We want the code to be easier and more concise.”
Other problems officials want to address surround inspections and people who have put properties into estates or trusts.
“We only have one inspector. Currently, it’s not feasible for the inspector to keep up with it,” said Stahlman, who said the city has 1,900 rental units now.
The new proposal wants inspections to be changed from a schedule based on the age of the building to inspections being held every two to five years based on received complaints and the properties’ compliance standing.
The current code has properties more than 60 years old inspected annually, buildings more than 30 conducted every two years and properties under 30 getting an inspection every three years.
Other proposed changes involve people who are no longer the owner of their home due to it being placed into a trust or estate.
“Under the old code, they needed to get an owner’s agent,” said Stahlman.
This affects people who deed their property over to their children. The current code treats them as tenants.
“We want them to be able to file for an exemption. This is becoming more and more common,” said Stahlman.
Fees and registration requirements for rental housing will remain the same, according to Stahlman.
Changes to the rental housing code were proposed with ordinance 2012-04 during the Frostburg mayor and City Council’s regular meeting Dec. 20.
Kirby pointed out that the acceptance of changes requires an advertised public meeting.
Although the law only requires one public meeting, Kirby is going to offer two.
“We will have a meeting on Jan. 17 and again on Feb. 21. Both meetings will be at 7 p.m. at the Community Center,” said Kirby.
“Now is the time for feedback,” he added.
Kirby said people can get a copy of the code changes by calling or stopping by City Hall.
“Hopefully, landlords, students, seniors, real estate agents and others will take the time to get a copy and come to the meetings with any comments and questions,” said Kirby.
Greg Larry can be contacted at glarry@times-news.com.
Local News
Frostburg to hold housing code meetings
Increase in rental units spur changes
- Local News
-
-
Massive Oklahoma twister kills 51
A monstrous tornado at least a half-mile wide roared through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday, flattening entire neighborhoods and destroying an elementary school with a direct blow as children and teachers huddled against winds up to 200 mph. At least 51 people were killed, and officials said the death toll was expected to rise.
-
Piedmont town foreman Shingler enters guilty plea
Piedmont Town Foreman John Shingler is facing a prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 after pleading guilty to a charge of conversion of government property Thursday in U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia, Martinsburg, according to court documents.
-
Final dress rehearsal for Rocky Gap Casino
As required by the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency, the Rocky Gap Casino went through final live testing of its operations Monday, with officials hoping to open casino doors for business on Wednesday.
-
Airport commuter service not feasible, FSU student concludes
A Frostburg State University student who undertook a survey about the feasibility of commuter service at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport said he does not believe the findings are favorable for the service at this time.
-
Straight shooter
-
Oakland house fire said deliberately set
Fire that damaged a Sanders Lane residence Sunday was arson, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
-
Rally weekend
-
West Virginia gets reprieve from No Child Left Behind law
West Virginia won limited freedom Monday from the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind, gaining approval of its own method for identifying struggling schools and then devoting resources to improve them.
-
Group plans black Civil War veterans’ memorial
Soldiers in Hagerstown were among the first black men in Maryland to join the ranks of the Union during the Civil War, and were involved in the siege of Petersburg, Va., during the conflict.
-
Burning cases, student sanctions down at WVU
West Virginia University is seeing a decline in malicious burning cases involving students.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Active Search for Utah Missing Mom Ends
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Suspects Butt Dial 911, Lead to Arrest
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
