Bill Barlow

CAPE MAY — Sharon Wendel and her neighbors do not want to see a house on their Broad Street block demolished, or fall into such disrepair that demolition becomes inevitable.

“It has not been inhabited for quite some time,” she told City Council this week, speaking at the public hearing on a new ordinance banning “demolition by neglect” in the city’s historic district.

Council approved the ordinance unanimously, one of two votes related to the historic district at the meeting.

“We do not want to see these beautiful old buildings demolished by neglect,” Mayor Zack Mullock said.

The city zoning officer, code enforcement officer and the Historic Preservation Commission compliance officer have the authority to investigate and notify owners of violations, the ordinance reads.

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