Howell County News/ Amanda MendezHowell County News/ Amanda Mendez

Nuisance Tours Resumed

City of West Plains Tours Code Enforcement Success Stories
The West Plains City Council met in special session on May 17 for their annual tour of problem properties. This is the first time in two years the city administration has made the tour. Last year, Council skipped the trip due to COVID concerns.
Citizens at Mayor Mike Topliff’s Coffee with the Mayor events have consistently complained about nuisance properties and their effect on real estate values. These concerns “sort of reminded us” to take Tuesday’s tour, Mayor Topliff told Howell County News. 
Code Enforcement Officer Tracy Morris told the Council her department issued 380 verbal and 226 written violations in 2021. She issued five summonses to court. Ultimately, 358 of these violations achieved compliance last year, Officer Morris reported.
Morris described three programs that could potentially address nuisance properties in West Plains: a demolition cost sharing, a registry of abandoned residential structures, and a “responsible landlord” program that would impose rental and occupancy licenses. All three programs are currently in use by other cities in Missouri.
The tour focused on 14 properties that have come into compliance with city codes. Each member of the tour had a packet of “before” photos in hand for comparison as the transit bus drove past. For many of the houses on the tour, compliance was achieved through total demolition. Properties on Grace and Hill were neat, but vacant, lots. For other properties, the City connected investors with property owners, and the result was a clean and remodeled residence. 
“We’re chipping away at the nuisance issues,” Officer Morris said. “Code enforcement doesn’t happen overnight.”
 
Content Paywall Trunction: 
Free

Howell County News

110 W. Main St.,
Willow Springs, MO 65793
417-252-2123

Comment Here