A blight ordinance was approved unanimously Jan. 16 by the Powder Springs City Council. It includes a new tax of seven times the amount of the city’s property tax.
A wide-ranging number of factors now classifies a structure as blighted under the new law. Besides buildings, several structures are included such as gazebos, signs, billboards, tennis courts, antennaes, satellite dishes, supporting towers, swimming pools, light fixtures, walls, fences and steps.
Blight cases will go before a new Board of Construction Appeals. The board will be comprised of a quorum of the city’s Planning and Zoning members and one member each from the Downtown Development Authority and the Development Authority of Powder Springs. Appeals can be made to this board, then to the Cobb County Superior Court.
Revenue from the seven-times rate of city property tax will be used only for community redevelopment, including paying for the city’s cost to close, repair or demolish unfit buildings and structures. If the blighted property is repaired under a corrective action plan, then the property will receive a lower millage rate by .25 percent.
Information: CityOfPowderSprings.org.
