SOUTH HUTCHINSON – A nuisance case that the City of South Hutchinson says has been ongoing for more than a year may be heading towards a resolution.
According to a release from the city, the municipal court ruled against property owner, Jack Adrian, for failing to take any substantive action on the property and handed down a $1,100 fine along with the threat of daily fines and potential incarceration if he did not take immediate steps to mitigate the nuisance.
The property, located at 100 South Main Street has been filled with abandoned and inoperable vehicles. It was also littered with an assortment of trash and debris, tall grass and weeds, and environmental hazards like old oil filters piled on the ground. Additionally, the exterior paint and façade deteriorated, and the roof had become so damaged and compromised that the owner had taken to holding it down with used tires and a strap tethered to one of the abandoned vehicles, according to the city.
City Manager Joe Turner says the city repeatedly attempted to work in good faith with Adrian for many months after Turner was hired. The judge ordered Adrian to have a written contract in hand to repair or replace the roof by Friday, September 23rd. Failure to do so may result in daily fines of $100 and potential incarceration. Adrian was also given until the end of October to complete the roof repairs.
In the release, Turner said he had expressed frustration at the municipal court’s lax attitude towards code enforcement which he says has stymied efforts to clean up blight and dilapidated buildings. Recently, he asked the governing body for direct oversight of its operations which was tabled pending further review and discussion.
Turner stated that the city is going to ramp up enforcement and turn their attention to some of the problem properties along the State and Poplar street corridor.
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