Unsafe homes to be razed

Friday, September 25, 2009

CLOVERDALE -- The process of having eyesores demolished is still moving forward. Three properties will be bulldozed soon, with one possibly at a later date.

A dilapidated trailer at 53 W. Fulton St. has been put on the list, but due to a mix-up with the deed, there was not enough time to have it considered with the other three properties.

Town attorney Allen Yackey said a letter would be sent to the 53 Fulton St. property owners letting them know something has to be done. The owners will have until the December meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals to dispute the demolition.

As for the destiny of 203 S. Lafayette St., it will be razed along with a gray two-story home at 4 S. Lafayette St. and a residence at 270 Downboy Way.

In January, the home at 203 S. Lafayette St. was inspected and deemed unsafe and uninhabitable. Jeff Everman owns the property and appealed to the BZA in March to have the demolition order stopped.

He was given a six-month extension to bring the home into compliance with building codes, which are primarily state law. This was the six-month mark for Everman, and nothing has been done to the home. He was not present at Thursday night's meeting, leaving the BZA no choice but to allow demolition to take place.

Building inspector Mark Cassida deemed the structure at 270 Downboy Way to be unsafe. Demolition was started in April, but the required permit was not obtained. Cassida issued a stop order until a demolition permit was acquired.

However, the permit was never picked up and has been sitting at town hall since April. Yackey said he never heard from the property owners and they were also not present at the meeting. It, too, will receive the same fate as the other properties.

Now the town will receive bids for demolition on all three properties. Once the structures have been razed, a lien will be placed on the properties and eventually sold to recoup demolition costs.

Christy Truax, owner of the property at 203 Brown Ave., has had all the debris removed following a fire more than a year ago.

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  • IT IS ABOUT TIME.

    -- Posted by Old Man on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 1:30 AM
  • What about the former Dugan property on Robert Weist (Burma Road) right beside the railroad tracks???????? You can actually see rats coming out of it when you drive down the street.

    -- Posted by Taxpayer5253 on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 7:30 AM
  • I doubt you saw rats a raccoon mabe,as they are a problem over here by the mill. As for the house it has a good roof and sound wall's.There are no utility's run to the place,it is now a storage shed not a house.

    -- Posted by sburnham on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 1:47 PM
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