Inspections Restored to Rental Occupancy Ordinance

Last year, the Solon City Council scrapped a rental occupancy ordinance that called for inspections because members called it an invasion of privacy.

Instead, city planning staff created a watered-down ordinance that required only that landlords register their rental properties.

On Monday, city council reversed course and re-introduced inspections by a narrow 4-3 vote, with councilmen Rick Bell, William Russo and William Mooney voting against. That result throws out the registration-only ordinance and puts the original version back on the table. 

The city council will hold a public hearing on the matter during their April 4 meeting. 

Some members of council and the public have , arguing that a registration-only ordinance accomplishes nothing and that Solon must begin an inspection program in order to protect and enhance neighborhood safety.

Members of the planning commission, which largely supported the registration policy, have said this is an issue best tackled in small pieces, and that a registration-only rule is a good first step to confronting a difficult issue.

Check back to Solon Patch later for expanded coverage of this issue.