Board hears update on blight complaints; staff to pursue legal action on at least one site

County planning staff updated the board on enforcement under the county’s derelict-property/blight ordinance, noting multiple complaint-driven cases and telling the board that legal action is recommended for at least one address. Staff said three letters were sent in late May under state code timelines and that one property on Woodard Road has not been remedied; staff recommended proceeding with legal action to compel cleanup. Another property on Piney Green Road is under active review with six days remaining in the compliance period, and a third matter on Raccoon Crossing Road has an incorrect address in land records that staff is working to resolve. Board members and staff reiterated that the county’s blight ordinance operates on a complaint basis — complaints must include the complainant’s name and contact information — and that the county typically follows a process that includes a notice period, potential court action and, in some cases, a judge-ordered compliance timeline. Staff said the court often provides time for remediation unless there is an immediate public-health or safety threat. No formal board action was taken beyond direction to proceed with counsel-assisted enforcement steps for the qualifying case and to continue the complaint process for the others.