Gaston County orders demolition of unsafe house at 3014 Birchfield Lane after inspectors document more than 30 code violations

The Gaston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance on the evening of the board’s September regular meeting authorizing county staff to abate and demolish structures at 3014 Birchfield Lane in Gastonia after an administrative hearing found the property unfit for human habitation.

The county’s planning and zoning director, Jana Kemberlou, told the board staff found “over 30 minimum housing violations” at the property and that code enforcement had conducted multiple inspections. Kemberlou said staff attempted repeated outreach, that the homeowners did not attend the administrative hearing, and that the final date to appeal the hearing order had passed.

“The administrative hearing details were sent to the property owners; however, no one attended on their behalf,” Kemberlou said. She told the board staff estimated more than $47,000 in repairs would be required to bring the structures into code compliance and that, under the county ordinance, a structure is…