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Registry to help city monitor abandoned, foreclosed properties
| Tuesday, Jan 15 2008 6:25 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Jan 16 2008 1:45 PM
It's easier to keep an eye on abandoned and foreclosed properties if you know where they are.
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So Bakersfield city staff and local real estate workers will study the feasibility of creating a registry of properties that police and code enforcement staff can use to monitor them. They will report back to a council committee probably in February.
The idea, designed to curb ugly, brown lawns and break-ins, got an enthusiastic response from two local agents at a Bakersfield City Council committee meeting Tuesday.
"I don't know that a registration system wouldn't be a bad idea," said Darrell Sparks, owner of Sparks Realty.
He and Laurie McCarty, an agent with Coldwell Banker, said they take care of properties that have been foreclosed, and getting permission from the bank or mortgage company to take action -- especially for maintenance that costs money -- is a long, slow process. Meanwhile, Bakersfield's code enforcement process works quickly.
The Legislative and Litigation Committee didn't pursue the idea of beefing up staff, which could cost up to $675,000, depending on how far the council wanted to take it.
The registry would help Bakersfield deal with the issue without hiring additional staff or writing a new ordinance.
"I think our existing ordinance can address the situation," said Councilwoman Sue Benham.