Property owner given 90 days to develop plan
By PAMELA BRUST, pbrust@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - A Blennerhassett Heights Road property owner was given 10 days to produce proof of liability insurance and 90 days to come up with a plan to repair and secure the property that county compliance officials say is unsafe.
Wood County commissioners visited the property last week. It is located near the former Point of View restaurant. The structure on the property was damaged by fire and water back in 2001. James Haynes, property owner, told the commissioners he purchased the property from an out-of-town property owner and first learned of the complaints in 2007. Haynes lives next door and is using the structure for storage.
Under the county Abandoned and Dilapidated Building ordinance, if a property is found to be a public safety, health hazard, after notice is served, the property owner is afforded the opportunity to meet with the county commission. The county has authority to order clean up of such properties then bill the property owner to recover the costs. If reimbursement is not forthcoming, a lien can be attached to the property to recoup the costs.
"Two things we are concerned about are the structure, which we feel is unsafe for anyone. I have also noticed mortar joints on the chimneys are almost totally obliterated, and it wouldn't take much to have bricks start coming down and that poses a real severe problem. My recommendation stands - to have a structural engineer look it over and make a recommendation to eliminate any liability issues," said Bill Brown, county engineer. "According to the fire marshal and local fire department, based on the severity of the fire, that structure is not safe for anyone to go in and from our viewpoint it's a public safety issue and should be torn down and that's our recommendation," Brown said.
"The building is not abandoned. I live next door and if you think something in particular needs fixed, I can do that. There is no one else on the property, there is no heavy traffic by it, and no children around," Haynes said.
"We received complaints about it and we are obligated to investigate," Commissioner Blair Couch said.
"It has an advantage to me as it is, but it's not worth me putting money into improving it very much. But it does give me the advantage of storage, shade and privacy. I'm a responsible person. If something started to fall apart, I'd fix it," Haynes said. He told county officials he'd received an estimate of more than $9,000 to have the building torn down. "It's essentially a marshmallow, the outside is toasted, but that just reduced the structural strength of the wood by the outside skin, most places it toasted very little," Haynes said.
"I've had a real tough time with this. I agree with you, I don't think it's in imminent danger of falling down, but the chimneys are a concern, and when I looked in I was surprised by the amount of damage on the inside. Some of the flooring joists are more than 50 percent burned through. I support individual rights, and I understand your position, but based on what I've heard, I think, we as commissioners, have been given a charge to do whatever we can do to have the community represented in such a way that's positive to tourists or businesses and if we let too many of these go, we are going to start looking like a shambled, rundown area," Commissioner Wayne Dunn said, noting he's also concerned about the potential of curious children being hurt. "As it is I don't think it's really benefiting you," Dunn said.
"It's not a threat, it is an eyesore, I can't argue that point. I'm trying to cooperate," Haynes said.
The commissioners asked Haynes to provide the proof of liability insurance, and continued the case to April 13 at which time Haynes is to provide a plan to address concerns over the roof, chimneys, exterior safety, work on the siding to improve the appearance of the building, and board up and secure other areas where people could gain access.
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Robinette
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01-13-09 12:09 PM
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It's about time someone has the guts to do something about the property on Blennerhassett Heights. It's been an eye sore for over 8 years and nobody would do anything about it. Haynes is too tight to tear it down or fix it up. Spend a little money and fix it up and rent or sell it. Hope they stay on him to do what they are suggesting. Thanks goes to Mr. Dunn. Thank you. Someone that drives past the eyesore all the time.
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bassman
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01-13-09 12:20 AM
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"It has an advantage to me as it is..." James Haynes "As it is I don't think it's really benefiting you..." Wayne Dunn Wow, I'm glad we voted this guy in, he knows what us lowly citizens think even when we think we think differently. What idiots voted this guy in...
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