Staff Writer

 Biddeford landlords on Monday urged the city’s Policy Committee to support a proposed disorderly housing ordinance.

Community Development Coordinator Linda Hardacker said a committee comprised of city staff, property owners, members of the Southern Maine Landlord Association and Portland’s neighborhood prosecutor worked during the past six months to develop the ordinance.

Hardacker said the ordinance is needed to address nuisance behaviors that disrupt neighborhoods across the city and make them unpleasant places to live. The ordinance is targeted at landlords who refuse to work with tenants and city officials to address problems, she said.

Under the proposed ordinance, a disorderly house is defined as any building that has three or more qualifying disorderly events in a 60-day period, four events in a 120-day period, five events in a 180-day period or six events in a 360-day period.

A property owner would be notified by police if a building is considered a “hot spot” before it is designated a disorderly house. If that designation is made, the landlord would be required to work with a committee to find ways to address the problem.

Hardacker said the ordinance aims to address loud music, boisterous gatherings, excessive or loud noise, public intoxication, public urination, fighting, disorderly conduct and other disruptive activities.

Seth Harkness, owner of several downtown apartment buildings, said the ordinance will provide the city a way to address landlords who fail to make a good faith effort to protect neighborhoods from ongoing disruptions.

“This ordinance isn’t about punishing or burdening respectful landlords. It’s needed to protect from neglectful landlords,” he said. “We believe the time has come to pass this ordinance.”

Jeanne Jackson, a landlord who owns property on Sullivan Street, said she has seen firsthand the benefit of a similar ordinance in Old Orchard Beach. 

“It holds the landlords accountable and brings them to the table to address problems,” she said.

Sullivan Street resident Denise Dyer said the ordinance is needed to make sure neighborhoods are peaceful and safe for young children. She said she sometimes doesn’t want to bring her children outside because of vulgar language heard in the area.

Don Gold, a landlord who owns buildings with his wife, Susan, said it is hard to attract good tenants when others in the area are disorderly. Dick Thompson said he is restoring a building on Piersons Lane and “wholeheartedly” supports the ordinance.

“That area is coming back, it’s changing,” he said. “I think this ordinance can do nothing but help that.”

“This is one more step for this community in the right direction,” said mill owner Doug Sanford in support of the ordinance.

Resident Ron Peaker said he is not opposed to the ordinance but would like to see it include single-family homes, not just apartment buildings with three to 16 apartments. He said some residents have issues with disruptive behavior from college students who rent coastal houses in the off-season.

Police Chief Roger Beaupre said the ordinance is no different from the onus placed on owners of bars where disruptive behavior occurs. He said violations of the ordinance are civil and could lead to fines if landlords refuse to work to resolve problems.

Beaupre said he applauds people who are working to change the image of Biddeford and would like to see major corridors through the city cleaned up.

“I think this ordinance is a step in that direction,” he said.

Policy Committee member Matt Hight said he had concerns about the wording of the ordinance because it doesn’t have “any real limitations on what could be considered a disorderly event.” He said he would like the scope to be limited to illegal activities.

Richard Rhames, another committee member, said he would like to look at similar ordinances in other communities.

“I think some people might favor you including seasonal rentals” in the ordinance, he said.

Committee member David Bourque, who is a landlord, said he doesn’t know if the ordinance will work out the way landlords who support it think it will.

“You’re going to handcuff  a lot of landlords in this city and they’re not going to be happy,” he said.

Committee Chairman Bob Mills said he is a “huge supporter” of the ordinance.

“It gives teeth and credibility to the efforts people are making to revitalize our neighborhoods,” he said. “I think this is a huge step in getting property owners to take responsibility for their tenants’ actions.”

 The committee tabled the issue until its July meeting when it will again review the proposed ordinance. The ordinance needs City Council approval to be enacted.