County leaders are moving full steam ahead with a new initiative to address dilapidated properties in the Shady Lane area. This new initiative will also be applied to other problem areas within the county.
Public hearings were held during Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting concerning six parcels in the Shady Lane area, which have remained abandoned and under vegetation for years.
Of the six parcels, Eric Stewart appeared before the county board to address his lot at 1243 Sylvan Cove. He was the only property owner of the six parcels who appeared during the public hearings.
“I am requesting time to either clean the property up or sell it,” Stewart said.
Supervisor Joseph Thomas Jr. represents the area within his district. He spearheaded the county’s new initiative after several residents in the area complained about the parcel conditions in the area.
“Those houses are beyond repair,” Thomas said. “It is an eyesore for everyone on that block. It is not fair for those neighbors for those structures to be left like that. I don’t think you would want a structure like that next door to you. I am sworn to my constituents. They want it gone.”
Stewart said with aging parents, it would take him about a month to address the property.
“It would take at least a month,” Stewart said. “I live out of town, and I would be the one to oversee everything to make sure it gets done.”
“I just want it gone,” Thomas replied. “I think this board wants it gone.”
The board agreed to give Stewart, and the remaining five parcel owners, 45 days to address the dilapidated lots.
