The option for townships in addition to taking people to court for leaving junk vehicles on their properties was added to the Ohio Revised Code and implemented by Elizabeth Twp. a couple of years ago.
Hoover said the option of a junk vehicle resolution is not available to counties, so he decided this year to notify the eight Miami County townships in which the county handles zoning about the option. So far, five townships have adopted a junk vehicle resolution, another is about to adopt the language and two more (Union and Monroe) are considering the program, he said.
The packet of information provided to townships includes step-by-step instructions on the process that includes letters to the property owner.
Hoover’s office extended to townships an offer to partner for required inspections because most townships do not have a zoning inspector on staff.
The traditional method of handling junk motor vehicles was through zoning code citations. The process includes filing in court, which can be time-consuming, Hoover said.
Under the option, once a junk motor vehicle is identified, letters are sent to the property owner. If the situation is not resolved, the township trustees are asked to approve a resolution determining there is a junk vehicle(s) and authorizing the abatement. A towing service is called to remove the vehicle. The cost of abatement can be placed on the property owner’s tax bill, if necessary.
McDowell said the trustees have acted on an abatement resolution in two cases. “Normally, once we send the letter out, it rarely gets past the second letter” before the owner takes action, he said.
A junk motor vehicle is described as a vehicle including a collector vehicle that meets any of the following: three model years or older; apparently inoperable; and extensively damaged including but not limited to, missing wheels, tires, engine and transmission.
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