By Audeen Moore
The Village of Maybrook is running out of patience trying to find out who — in a limited liability corporation (LLC) — controls a particular property. So the village board has drafted a local law to “implement an entity disclosure.”
A public hearing on the draft law will be held 7 p.m., Mon., June 24. If adopted by the board, the law would require any “nondisclosed person” for any entity like an LLC or limited partnership or corporation to complete an entity disclosure statement. This requirement would apply to any land use approvals, permits or construction sought from the village building inspector, village board, planning or zoning board or any other village board or official.
The problem has been, that when an LLC acquires a property, it is often difficult to know and contact an actual shareholder, member, director, officer or other authorized person to contact when there is a problem, such as abandonment, dangerous conditions, etc. In addition, the village wants to be able to avoid conflicts of interest.
“It’s getting out of control,” Mayor Dennis Leahy said. “These LLCs are buying houses and we don’t know who is in control. This will protect the village.”
The draft law provides for the following penalties if not followed: suspension of any application or work and/or civil penalties of up to one percent of the value of the project.
Leahy said he believes other municipalities in the area will follow Maybrook’s example because it is a growing problem area-wide.