Mendota Heights Commercial Property Maintenance Code Gets a Boost

Commercial properties could soon be subject to property maintenance codes like those required of homeowners.

At the July 5 meeting, Mendota Heights City Council approved acquiring a detailed proposal on developing property maintenance codes for commercial properties. While homeowners are subject to property maintenance codes, there are currently no comparable codes for Mendota Heights businesses.

At the meeting, assistant city administrator Jake Sedlacek presented two estimates from city planner Steve Grittman for developing a code draft. The council chose the less expensive option. For $3,200, Grittman will be able to develop a draft code based upon residential property code that also garners input from local business owners.

“We do have ‘general nuisance’ language in our statutes,” said city attorney Tami Diehm. Having specific codes would “take away nuisance language and give businesses specific guidelines to follow,” she said. 

Mayor Sandra Krebsbach pointed out that without code, little can be done with problem properties.

“If we don’t have an ordinance, we have nothing to stand on when it comes to complaints,” said Krebsbach.