The Knox Board of Works has agreed to drop the fines against the owner of 253 West Locust Drive. The property had racked up a total of $900 in fines, due to a number of vehicles and clutter in the yard.
Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told board members last week that the property had been cleaned up, and he was happy with its condition. The only thing left for the owner to do was remove some bags of trash that still remained at the site.
Meanwhile, Pfost reported that he still hasn’t been able to get inside of the home at 306 West Lambert Street to conduct an inspection. The ownership of the property has passed to Fifth Third Bank, after the husband and wife who lived there both passed away. Pfost said he was briefly in contact with someone from the bank’s legal department who promised to help, but now he can’t get a hold of him.
Pfost and City Attorney Autumn Ferch weren’t sure that anyone was paying taxes on the property. They thought it had gone up for tax sale, but no one bought it. The board of works directed Pfost to apply for an inspection warrant, so he could look at the home and recommend whether it should be rehabilitated or demolished. Pfost is expected to give an update during the board’s December meeting.
