The Knox Board of Works members were updated on enforcement properties by Director of Building, Planning and Code Compliance Lonnie Boley last week.
Boley reported that the owner of 553 E. Lake Street is making good progress in making necessary repairs. He received a remodel permit and hopes to have all work done in six months.
There is a new owner of 105 S. Main Street and a remodel and razing permit was applied for and approved. The new owner has made significant progress in cleaning up the property and the garage was demolished there. Work will continue at that location.
More work needs to be done at 253 E. Washington Street. Windows need to be fixed and the siding needs to be replaced. The members previously asked the owner to get a contractor’s estimate but that has not been done. The siding has been purchased, but some components are on back order. A motion was made to request the owner show up at the next meeting with a contractor’s estimate to put up the siding. That motion was unanimously approved.
There have been five inspections done on properties owned by Melvin Zeiters and two properties failed completely including the lack of a furnace. There are currently 11 ordinance violations worth $4,800 against his properties and the property manager is aware of the violations. Boley said the property manager did not let an inspection occur at five properties. A motion was made to place additional fines for non-compliance and follow through with a vacate order at one property were living conditions are deplorable. That motion was unanimously approved.
Additional clean up needs to occur at 18 S. Main Street along with repairs on the adjacent wall on the north side of the property and will be at an expense to the city, even though the city does not own the property. An additional $1,000 penalty was approved for non-compliance.
As for the former Downtown Depot building, the owner stated that any repairs will be done once pending litigation is resolved. There are conflicting opinions from structural engineers for the city and the owner regarding repair or demolition, but once legal matters are settled he plans to repair the building.
