Condemn and demolish

Local News

November 14, 2007

Richmond creating panel to review vacant housing

Bill Robinson The Richmond Register Wed Nov 14, 2007, 08:15 AM EST

The Richmond City Commission adopted an ordinance Tuesday night creating a legal framework for the city to condemn and demolish vacant housing structures deemed to be blighted and deteriorated.

The ordinance authorizes the appointment of a five-member Vacant Property Review Commission to evaluate buildings brought to its attention by the city’s codes enforcement director.

Prior to review by the commission, owners are to be notified of city code violations and given time to bring property into compliance.

If corrective action is not taken, the commission may notify the owner of the city’s intent to condemn the property and again list the correction action required to avoid condemnation. If unacceptable conditions remain 90 after the notice, condemnation procedures may begin.

Just the appearance of blighted and deteriorated buildings can reduce the value of adjacent property, according to the ordinance. Such structures can be an “attractive nuisance” and safety hazard for children, attract vermin such as rodents, increase the danger of fires and fall into use by criminals.

Circuit court action would determine compensation for the owners of condemned property.

The city commission also moved to change the composition of its Advisory Board for Police Community Relations.

The nine-member panel will now have one member, instead of two, representing the fields of social services, corrections, education or related field. The number of at-large members from the community was increased from three to four. One of the at-large members is to be a “youth 17 years of age or older.”

The commission also includes a member from the legal profession, one from the human relations/resources field and two sworn officers (one detective, one patrol). The police chief and city manager are ex officio members.

The commission approved the appointment Catherine Eaves to replace Robert Sadler as the board’s police patrol representative.

A payment of $476,458 to D.W. Wilburn, contractor for the city’s family aquatic center, was approved. Only one more major payment is due on the project which is substantially complete, said City Manager David Evans.

City officials walked through the facility Thursday to check a list of specifications. The $5.4-million-center in the Lake Reba Recreational Complex is set to open Memorial Day weekend 2008.

Payment of $267,482 to the Allen Co. for work performed on the construction of a $1.4 million road in the industrial park was approved.

The commission heard first reading of an ordinance expressing its intent to annex, at owner Mike Land’s request, property adjacent to the city that was formerly used by Hillcrest Garden Center. If approved on second reading, the request will go to the planning commission for a zoning recommendation.

Second reading of an ordinance for the voluntary annexation, with a zoning or R-1a, of a 0.45-acre lot at 1265 Barnes Mill Road owned by Maxine Seyfrit, was approved.

First reading of building plan review fees was heard. The city current charges of flat fee of $70 for the reviews, regardless of a building’s size, said Joe Lillis, codes enforcement director. If adopted, future fees would be based on square footage.

The commission approved the retirement, after 20 years of service, of Assistant Fire Chief Pearl Cowan. Commissioner Bill Strong said he would like to see current members of department be considered for Cowan’s replacement, which was once customary. “I am a great believer in growing your own,” said Mayor Pro Tem Robert Blythe, who presided in place of Mayor Connie Lawson, who was the only member absent.

As members made comments prior to adjournment, Commissioner Mike Brewer expressed displeasure regarding payment of $17,000 to a Lawrenceburg firm for work on emergency lights, sirens and mobile data terminals in city police cruisers. Such work was previously done by a local business also used by the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, the Madison County Emergency Medical Service and the Berea Police Department, he said.

While the out-of-town vendor may do the work more quickly, Brewer said he wished the city would patronize local vendors.

Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@richmondregister.com or at 623-1669, Ext. 267.

Text Only

Local News

Aiming high
The tiny Tic-Tac sized spots on 11-year-old Corie Young's right cheek are the marks of her archery accomplishments.

May 16, 2012 2 Photos
Richmond officers recognized at annual banquet

Several Richmond officers were recognized May 8 for outstanding service in 2011 at the annual police awards banquet.

May 16, 2012 1 Photo
Suspect found hiding under church pew
BEREA — A burglary suspect was found hiding under a church pew Monday at Highway
Holiness Church on Haiti Road in Berea, according to a police report.
Berea Police arrested Timmy Brock, 26, and charged him with third-degree burglary.

May 16, 2012 1 Photo
Berea family charged with making meth
BEREA — A call about a fight between a father and his son Friday night resulted in the arrest of the two men, plus another family member, on meth manufacturing charges.

May 16, 2012 3 Photos
Yes, those precincts do have some city voters
Some county residents who vote in Deacon Hills, Duncannon and Kingston precincts may have been surprised to see them listed as precincts where voting will take place for Richmond City Commission races.

May 16, 2012
Maker’s collectibles stolen from home
A resident in the 100 block of Crescent Hill Drive told police Monday his residence was broken into that morning and several items were stolen.
Illegal entry may have been made through an u

May 16, 2012
Free oil changes for single moms Saturday
First Baptist Church, 425 Eastern Bypass, Richmond, is offering free oil changes from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for single mothers, wives of deployed soldiers and widows

May 15, 2012
Brandy Winkler hopes to bring a different view to circuit clerk office

(Editor's note: This is the last article in a three-part series about the candidates in the Democratic primary for Madison Circuit Clerk. There are no Republicans in the race, so the Democratic primary winner will get the office. Sunday’s Register included a profile on candidate Jennifer Webb, and a profile on Darlene Snyder was published Monday.)

Having an outsider’s view along with 17 years of banking and management experience is something Brandy Winkler is counting on to win over voters May 22.

May 15, 2012 1 Photo
Smarter spending, economic recruitment goals for 36th Rep. candidate Nathan Mick

(Editor’s Note: This is the first in a two-part series about the candidates in the May 22 Republican primary for 36th District state representative. A profile of the other candidate in the race, Jonathan Shell, will appear in Thursday’s Register.)

Republican candidate for state representative Nathan Mick says he is ready to “hit the ground running” if elected.

Long-time Republican incumbent Lonnie Napier, who is retiring from the seat, has endorsed Mick as his replacement.

May 15, 2012 1 Photo
Troopers remembered

Members of the Madison County law enforcement community, led by state police troopers, honored Monday two of their number who died in the line of duty.

On Feb. 11, 1979, Trooper Clinton Cunningham, 29, was shot in the back while investigating a false report of a break-in at a store in Franklin County. He had worked for the Kentucky State Police for three years.

May 15, 2012 4 Photos
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

Condemn and demolish

Richmond creating panel to review vacant housing

A recent health ranking listed Madison County as the 20th healthiest county in the state. It measured factors such as exercise, access to health care and smoking. Do you smoke cigarettes?

Site Map