Revisions to the blighted property ordinance

As it moves toward trying to adopt an ordinance to address blighted properties in the community, the Benson City Council continues to look at revisions to the original proposal.
The first attempt to pass the blighted properties ordinance was dropped Oct. 6 after a petition by 127 Benson residents opposed to it was submitted to the council in an effort to force its approval to a vote of Benson citizens.
Though the petition wasn’t submitted correctly, and the council could have proceeded with its adoption, it opted to withdraw it.
Those opposed to it thought its language gave the city far too much authority to dictate what people had to do to keep up their properties.
Some also believed it gave the city authority to come into their homes to inspect for possible violations.
The city vigorously denied this saying it had no intention of going into homes.
Photo:  General file photo.