County begins court action after major cleanup at Celebrity Lane site; some items remain pending access

Augusta County staff and contractors carried out a cleanup at a property on Celebrity Lane after board direction, removing a large quantity of trash and addressing material the county determined was creating health and nuisance concerns, staff said on June 2.

County staff said two contractors performed work and that some material remained inside buildings or containers that were inaccessible without a court order. Staff also said the restroom facilities at the property had failed and that some stored material was being removed because it was affecting neighbors.

The county's interim attorney told the board the matter on Celebrity Lane has been set for a hearing in circuit court because the county will pursue an injunction to address the remaining inaccessible material. A court date was noted in June.

Staff said two nearby properties in the same general area had related complaints: one had substantial trash cleaned up already but still contained an inoperable motor vehicle; the other had not yet been abated and was in the notice-and-compliance phase. Staff said letters and the county's compliance process remain in effect and promised the board follow-up information by email on specific parcel letter status.

The county emphasized it attempted to remove only trash and materials that posed a public-health or nuisance concern and left useful property in place when demonstrable. The board was informed the next step will be a court hearing to seek the injunction required to gain further access.