(Sept. 21, 2017) Code Enforcement Officer Jon Hill provided an update on violation notices sent to four vacated residences in early August during the Snow Hill Council meeting, last Monday.
Since approving the Vacant and Blighted Building Registration ordinance in July, the town has identified more than 50 properties that fit the criteria. The first four targeted structures are: 206 Purnell Street, 300 Purnell Street, 228 East Martin Street and 412 Covington Street.
Hill said the property owners at 300 Purnell Street acquired permits and plan on demolishing the home.
The Martin Street property, along with two others, are owned by Snow Hill-based JFD Rentals and managed by Theresa Featham.
“There are three properties in particular that are facing demolition by neglect,” he said. “She is in discussions to sell one of those properties and hopes to finance the demolition of the other two properties through that.”
Hill said the owner of 412 Covington Street is deceased.
“That property’s been sold at tax sale at least four times and the deed’s never been redeemed,” he said. “The county will sell the tax lien over the counter.”
Hill said the owners of 206 Purnell Street have thus far failed to respond to the recent citation, but it appears there is a mortgage on the property.
“The timeline will run out in about 30 days and at that point and time I’ll be able to issue a demolition order on the properties,” he said. Before razing properties, Hill said, the town would need to conduct a title search to confirm no one else has a claim.
“We’ll have to make sure we’re the major land owner on the property before we could acquire [it] … for demolition,” he said. “The process is long and its expensive, but that is the goal.”
Since approving the Vacant and Blighted Building Registration ordinance in July, the town has identified more than 50 properties that fit the criteria. The first four targeted structures are: 206 Purnell Street, 300 Purnell Street, 228 East Martin Street and 412 Covington Street.
Hill said the property owners at 300 Purnell Street acquired permits and plan on demolishing the home.
The Martin Street property, along with two others, are owned by Snow Hill-based JFD Rentals and managed by Theresa Featham.
“There are three properties in particular that are facing demolition by neglect,” he said. “She is in discussions to sell one of those properties and hopes to finance the demolition of the other two properties through that.”
Hill said the owner of 412 Covington Street is deceased.
“That property’s been sold at tax sale at least four times and the deed’s never been redeemed,” he said. “The county will sell the tax lien over the counter.”
Hill said the owners of 206 Purnell Street have thus far failed to respond to the recent citation, but it appears there is a mortgage on the property.
“The timeline will run out in about 30 days and at that point and time I’ll be able to issue a demolition order on the properties,” he said. Before razing properties, Hill said, the town would need to conduct a title search to confirm no one else has a claim.
“We’ll have to make sure we’re the major land owner on the property before we could acquire [it] … for demolition,” he said. “The process is long and its expensive, but that is the goal.”