‘Deplorable’ property has neighbor concerned
By DAVID M. GRIMES (dgrimes@reviewonline.com)Fact Box
Sprucevale property to see demolitionIn a related nuisance property matter, progress was made in reference to an area property that will, ultimately, be demolished.
A resolution was unanimously passed by trustees Robert M. Swickard, James Sabatini II and James N. Hall regarding the property owner of 15132 Sprucevale Road, who failed to comply to a previous court order to fix up the property. According to the resolution, the township is now allowed to move ahead and demolish the three structures and level out the land.
The board of trustees, with their vote, allowed Deb Dawson, fiscal officer, to initiate the property bidding process to accomplish the appropriate demolition.
During the public portion of the township meeting Tuesday evening, local resident Liz Derrington showed photographs, property maps and asked for help in a situation that involved troublesome trees and an unsightly neighboring property.
“This has been an ongoing issue,” Derrington said of the property behind the Quaker Pool & Spa building near St. Clair Avenue and Maple Drive.
The resident’s first concern regarded large trees on the edge of the Sheetz gas station located on state Route 170.
“This is well kept. There are many, many trees — huge, huge trees,” Derrington said of a 75-foot section of Sheetz’s property near both her and a neighbor’s home.
“Sheetz has told me they will come through and they will bring in a tree trimmer,” she said. She said she asked Sheetz to take trees out as she believes they are a safety hazard to the surrounding homes, especially if a wind gust were to go through the area.
But the trees were not the major issue for the resident. It was the unsightly property that sits next to her home.
“We have abandoned trailers, he is putting this garbage on Sheetz’s property, it’s deplorable,” Derrington said, while providing 8 1/2-by-11 photographs to the trustees.
“We are acquiring rodents. It’s not a good situation,” Derrington added.
She told trustees she has installed privacy fences and “done everything possible” to avoid the unsightly area. But she asked trustees Robert M. Swickard, James Sabatini II and James N. Hall for their help in this matter.
Hall said he recently spoke to another neighbor about similar issues.
Swickard said there have been several situations similar to this case and all cases except for one, involved cleaning up the area with an initial request letter.
But Derrington told the trustees, she believed this might be another exception.
Swickard said there are two entities that handle these types of matters — the health and fire departments.
The trustee said they can send a letter to the property owner, with a copy going to the health department. They can also contact the fire department to see if there are any hazards.
“I don’t want to make an enemy ... that’s not my main concern,” Derrington said.
Hall said he will visit the property owner personally and try to work out the situation.
If nothing comes from the visit, Swickard explained the next step would be to send a letter to the owner and the county health department.
He did warn Derrington that the health department may not see a potential hazard.
“A lot of times, they have told us unsightly doesn’t make it illegal,” the trustee said.
Derrington said if it came down to it, she would utilize television or radio “troubleshooters” who may be able to solve the problem.
Hall understood where she was coming from and why she is determined to get that area cleaned up.
“You’re trying to protect your property,” the trustee said.
