Residents press Fostoria council to enforce vacant-property rules and clear sidewalks

Several residents used the public-comment period to press city officials to take stronger action on property maintenance and sidewalk safety in downtown Fostoria. Rebecca Kimball presented photos alleging extensive exterior deterioration at multiple properties on Cherry Street, identified owners by name, and urged enforcement under chapter 13.07 (registration of vacant buildings). She cited code language and penalties during her remarks: "Any persons who violates any provisions of this chapter . . . shall be guilty of a special misdemeanor and fine not less than $200 and not more than $1,000 for each offense," and noted that the director of law may take civil action in addition to fines.

Kimball named specific addresses (722, 733, 740 and 710 Cherry Street), described missing chimney and soot at a fire-damaged home, reported rodents entering a house through gaps and antifreeze containers in a backyard, and said weeds and debris posed hazards to children and animals. She said the owner of two houses at 722 and 733 is Billy Sayer and accused VZM (VZ Investment) Properties of buying multiple houses without repairing them. The council and staff responded by directing Kimball to forward her photographs to the zoning department for follow-up; a council member noted the online zoning complaint form and encouraged use of that process.

During public comment, Paul Allison announced the Records Commission meeting moved to Feb. 26 at 2:00 p.m. and urged consideration of hiring a downtown-cleaning resource to address recurring sidewalk and alley maintenance issues. Deb Tyson also urged more consistent sidewalk clearing after a recent storm and suggested promoting downtown businesses to attract visitors, saying she wanted "to start driving people to come to Fostoria and see the sites, go to the shops, spend their money." Council staff pledged to pass Kimball’s photos to zoning for investigation.

The meeting record indicates staff and council provided procedural guidance (how to file a zoning complaint or forward evidence), but tonight’s session did not record enforcement outcomes. The transcript shows residents’ concerns were recognized and referred for follow-up rather than resolved at the meeting.