Published: July 25, 2008 09:55 am      

Laurel considering nuisance ordinance

By Brad Hicks / Staff Writer

A number of Laurel County citizens were present at Thursday’s fiscal court meeting to ask the county to create an ordinance addressing nuisance properties.

Floyd Gilbert, who lives in the Sunny Meadows subdivision near Levi Jackson Park, was the first to speak on the issue. Gilbert said an abandoned lot near his subdivision poses a danger to residents. There is not only a mound of garbage on the lot, but he said copperhead snakes have been spotted there as well.

“There’s kids around there,” Gilbert said. “They got a lot of junk there and weeds.”

Gilbert says he rarely sees the property owner.

Magistrate Tom Baker has both visited the lot and spoken with its owner a couple of times about its cleanup.

“I’ve been out there several times, Judge, and they’ve got a legitimate gripe,” Baker said.

According to Alice Stone, the area near her home more closely resembles a scrap yard than a lawn.

“There’s almost a whole block of trailers and cars in pieces,” Stone said. “It’s a mess.”

Jerry Elam and Boyd Helton, residents of the Woods Bend subdivision, also addressed the court on the need for an ordinance that would force owners to clean properties posing a public nuisance.

“We’re just here to reinforce that the county does need a nuisance ordinance,” said Elam, who was applauded by citizens after speaking to the court. “It’s something that really needs to go forward.”

Elam said county residents have to pay taxes on properties near these nuisance areas based on values that are estimated higher by the property value administrator, but lower by realtors.

Elam asked for a show of hands of those who thought an ordinance was needed, and citizens present unanimously raised them.

“The only way around a lot of these problems addressed to this fiscal court is to go ahead with the nuisance ordinance,” Elam said.

Although an ordinance was discussed at last month’s fiscal court meeting, no action was taken then or Thursday night.

Laurel County Judge-Executive Lawrence Kuhl said magistrates are still reviewing the recently adopted London city ordinance pertaining to vacated properties that pose health and safety concerns.

Kuhl also said a draft of a possible county ordinance, which is being written by County Attorney Elmer Cunnagin, needs to be as thorough as possible. Kuhl is hopeful a draft will be ready to present to the court at August’s fiscal court meeting.

“We’re hoping to have that done and bring it back to the court for the next meeting,” Kuhl said.

MORE TO COME

The Laurel County Fiscal Court also discussed former sheriff Gene Hollen’s 2005 tax audit, and the current sheriff department’s budget during their meeting. See Saturday’s Times-Tribune for more.