The decision of whether O'Hara should have a separate code governing property maintenance will likely be made by township voters in November.

Council last week approved on first reading an ordinance to place the issue on the ballot in the general election. The ordinance must have a second reading, scheduled for July 12.

The code would govern repair and maintenance of commercial and residential properties.

Proponents, including code enforcement officer Cindy Davis and council President Robert Smith, say the code's more precise language would allow officials to order repairs for health and safety and to cite owners who don't comply.

Opponents believe the township has adequate code language in place to address health, safety and nuisance conditions, and the new code would give officials broad powers.

Council's June 14 vote to place the decision on the ballot came after Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Joseph James ruled in April that council must either repeal the code or place it on the ballot. James upheld the petitions presented by Concerned Citizens of O'Hara, an ad hoc group whose members gathered more than 600 signatures seeking repeal of the code, which was passed Sept. 14.

The vote on the first reading was 5-0, with Marshall Treblow and Joseph Weiss absent.

The code can be viewed at www.ohara.pa.us.

First Published: June 23, 2005, 4:00 a.m.