COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Columbus Board of Public Works has approved requests from code enforcement to condemn an eastside residence and fine its owners, and to take another property owner to court for failing to pay a fine and remedy several violations.
The board approved a request to condemn a residence at 572 S. Cherry St. and fine its owners $1,000 for failing to clean up the property so that it meets minimum housing standards. In a letter dated Dec. 19, the city listed the property’s owners as Rae Jean and Eric Daniel Parson.
Images of the home taken by Columbus Code Enforcement during an inspection on Jan. 2 show the exterior of the property littered with trash, furniture and other items, including some areas that are completely covered with garbage.
Some of the items include lumber, scrap metal, construction materials, machinery components and equipment, appliances and furniture that is not designed for outside use, according to city records.
The images also show garbage piled nearly to the ceiling of the home’s garage and other rooms in the house nearly completely covered with trash.
Additionally, city officials said there are unlicensed, inoperable vehicles on the property and an individual appears to be living in a camper on the property, both of which are prohibited under municipal code.
Code Enforcement, which initially became aware of the property this past April after receiving complaints, plans to conduct a follow-up inspection on Jan. 23.
The board also approved on Tuesday a request from Code Enforcement to take legal action against the owner of a residence at 879 Fairview Drive for failing to pay a fine and remedy several violations.
Due to non-compliance, the city plans to file a civil lawsuit against the property owner in Bartholomew Superior Court 2 for payment of the fine, court costs and to bring the property into compliance. The city listed Shannon Richards as the property’s owner in a letter dated Wednesday.
The letter states that lumber, scrap metal, construction materials, machinery components and equipment, appliances and furniture not designed to be used outdoors must be stored in an enclosed structure to resolve the matter. The owner also has been ordered to remove items stored on the front porch, side and back of the property, as well as abandoned, unlicensed and inoperable vehicles.
Code Enforcement said it has sent requests to the owner regarding the condition of the property in December 2018, October 2019, January 2021 and this past February and September.
The city fined the owner $1,650 on Sept. 15, which had not been paid as of Tuesday morning. Fines are due within 30 days of the date of citation.
