Neighbor complaints prompt Struthers code review for deteriorating building and retaining wall

At the Sept. 10 Struthers City Council meeting, resident Lehi Byer said a retaining wall at the property at or near 795 Fifth Street has been down since February and that her property is starting to cave in toward the neighboring lot. Byer told council she cannot repair her own property without entering the adjacent parcel and asked what the city could do.

Council members and staff said the city would refer the matter to the property code enforcement officer for investigation. The city’s law director and staff said civil remedies — including a private lawsuit against the property owner — are available to homeowners if their property is damaged by a neighbor’s failure to maintain a structure.

Residents identified American Scholar (listed as the owner on real-estate listings) and the agent David Ho as contacts for the property, and said a former tenant, Andrea Mahomes, had rented the building previously. Council staff said the property is listed for sale on the MLS but that they needed to confirm current ownership and investigate whether code violations exist.

Code enforcement staff and the law director advised the resident to make an appointment with administration so staff could assess the retaining-wall condition and other safety hazards such as a reported bees’ nest.

No enforcement order or citation was announced at the meeting; staff said they will inspect the site and determine whether code violations exist or whether civil action is appropriate.