PARKERSBURG — Many aging property owners appeared before the Wood County Commission on Thursday to discuss the condition of their properties and efforts to clean them up.
The committee discussed properties at 46 Valley Mills Circle in Parkersburg. 2 Turtle Lane, Davisville. 38 Pine Tree Lane, Parkersburg. 8 Campbells Drive, Parkersburg, Wood County Compliance Officer Sarah Robinson and County Engineer Maria Hardy.
The property at 46 Valley Mills Circle in Parkersburg has been sold and the new owner said he is working on the property and has made progress on some of the concerns. He works on the property himself. The county had previously condemned the property.
He said he balances working in real estate while taking care of his family. He was removing a fallen tree from the building, cutting another fallen tree, mowing the grass, and so on.
“He’s done a lot of work” Commission Chairman Blair Couch said:
County officials continue to give him time as he continues to make progress.
The property at 2 Turtle Lane in Davisville had trash, debris, etc. around the property called the trailer and inside the house. We were shown pictures of the interior with a giant spider web in one of the rooms. Robinson also spoke of four dead dogs found there and a person who lived in a car on the property for some time.
Neighbors showed up saying they were affected by odors coming from the property and had to spray their place regularly due to bug issues coming from the property in question.
The owner is considering handing over the property to the county to clean it up and set up a lien so the county can get that money back when it’s sold. Cleared over pounds of trash, removed old cars, etc.
“Like day and night” Couch said he will compare the original photo of the property taken in June with the current state of the property.
He initially wanted more time for his family due to the sentimental value of the property. He plans to make a decision soon on whether to allow the county to clear the property.
Authorities have asked him to contact them as soon as he decides anything, and Robinson will continue to monitor the situation.
The property, located at 38 Pine Tree Lane in Parkersburg, received complaints in April about debris in the yard, poor maintenance of the warehouse, and more.
The owner and his son are building a treehouse that authorities had safety concerns about. There was also debris around the house containing materials used in other projects and other materials he plans to recycle. I had a sheet. He has plans to install doors. He said he was working as long as his conditions allowed and was scheduled to undergo surgery soon.
The owner said he has photos of concerns about the condition of some of his neighbors’ properties.
Officials said Robinson could contact the owner and walk around the property to see what needs to be done. The Commissioner gave him 60 days to make progress.
Couch reveals that the property was owned by his grandfather years ago, but his family no longer has any financial interest in the property.
This property at 8 Campbells Drive in Parkersburg is owned by Blue Eagle Enterprises. Blue Eagle Enterprises purchased the property with county tax proceeds, according to group officials.
Robinson said he tried to send notices to the presidents of the companies listed in the Office of the Secretary of State but received no reply.
The commissioner wants to contact the owner, go through the proper procedures, and finally demolish the house.
Other business:
* County Clerk Mark Rose said 5,587 people had cast early votes as of Wednesday.
*There were no bids for trailers for maintenance departments. The commission allowed county management to find her three prices for the trailer, and the commission would make the best choice.
Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com.
