Springdale to impose fines for vacant, abandoned properties

After passing a new ordinance Tuesday, Springdale may soon begin fining owners of vacant or abandoned properties in the borough.

Springdale Borough Manager Terry Carcella said it’s part of an “aggressive” new plan to combat neglected properties in the area.

“By doing nothing, that won’t work for the borough,” he said.

Owners will be required to register vacant or abandoned properties with borough officials, who will inspect the site for potential code deficiencies.

According to Carcella, the borough might charge a $500 fee for the registration. That fee could compound each year the property remains vacant, he said.

For continued code deficiencies, property owners could be charged $300 to $1,000 per infraction. Each day the code violation continues may be treated as a separate infraction, according to the ordinance.

Unpaid fees or fines would result in a property lien, according to the ordinance.

Owners may apply for exemptions to the plan for reasons like ongoing construction or economic hardship. An appeals process through the borough’s zoning hearing board is also available.

If officials can’t locate owners of long-abandoned properties, Carcella would recommend the borough seize the plots using eminent domain.

He said the first priority for the borough would be to compile a list of neglected properties and those with continued code infractions like uncut grass.

After that, the borough would focus its energy on vacant storefronts and commercial areas, Carcella said.

Some properties in the borough remain vacant as a result of the 2023 smokestack implosion at the site of the former Cheswick Generating Station.

Councilman Dan Copeland said he doesn’t expect the borough to pursue fines against property owners affected by the implosion, saying it would be in “very poor taste.”

Since the properties are still involved in active litigation, the owners could apply for an exemption but would still have to maintain the properties, Carcella said.