Council denies appeal of vacant‑building registration for 272 Richmond St.; owner encouraged to finish repairs before assessment

The City Council denied an appeal from property owner Paul Mulcahy seeking waiver or reduction of a vacant building registration fee for 272 Richmond Street. Staff explained the vacant building billing cycle is behind and that this matter would be better revisited at the assessment stage; the staff recommendation was to deny the appeal but to allow the owner to continue pulling permits and completing work.

Mulcahy told the council he had been rehabilitating the property after inheriting it following his sister's death, listed recent repairs (new roof, windows, cleanup) and said the building permit was approved the same day. “I’m getting everything checked off and getting the certificate... February is my goal for having the certificate,” he said, and asked the council to waive or reduce the fee given the billing timing and his financial strain.

Staff and the council advised Mr. Mulcahy he need not pay the fee immediately, described options for proration if work completes before the billing date and noted that an appeal at assessment would provide another review opportunity. The council denied the appeal (7–0) and encouraged the owner to continue progress toward code compliance and the certificate of occupancy.