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Owner given 90 days, minimum fine after Hopkinsville board finds South Kentucky Ave. house unsafe
Summary
The board found the house at 124 South Kentucky Avenue unsafe, assessed the minimum fine and an administrative fee, and gave owner Timothy Vandiver 90 days to renovate with a required work write-up submitted in 45 days if he chooses to rehabilitate rather than sell.
The Code Ordinance Enforcement Board found the property at 124 South Kentucky Avenue (case CEBPM25-O4-013) to be an unsafe structure, assessed the minimum fine and administrative fee, and granted the owner up to 90 days to renovate if he submits an approved work write-up within 45 days.
Darnell West, code enforcement officer with the Hopkinsville Fire Department, presented inspection photos and a property checklist indicating extensive exterior and interior deterioration. West told the board the property had a large roof opening, missing bricks in the foundation and chimney mortar, broken and boarded windows, exposed wiring and interior collapse in some ceiling areas. He reported utilities had been terminated (water May 2022, electric Aug. 12, 2021; gas removal noted March 2025). The property met 15 of 18 applicable checklist items (83 percent).
Owner Timothy Vandiver told the board he had hired an attorney and said he needed time to decide whether to renovate or sell. He also said an earlier prospective buyer withdrew after seeing the code status. Vandiver asked for more time; the board and staff explained the local ordinance and the standard procedure for conditional sales when a buyer agrees to step into a renovation agreement.
The board voted that the property was in violation. It then voted to assess the minimum $350 fine plus an administrative fee (recorded in the hearing as $2,200 administrative fee) and to grant the owner the maximum time allowed under ordinance: 90 days to complete renovation if he submits a work write-up and obtains approval, with the requirement that a work write-up be submitted to Code/Development Services for approval within the first 45 days. The board advised that, if the owner chooses to sell, the purchaser must sign an agreement obligating compliance with the same timetable and the city typically ratifies such agreements through the mayor and the board.
The board closed the hearing and provided paperwork for the owner to sign outlining the time frame and conditions for renovation or conditional sale; staff will enter a final order reflecting the fine, administrative fee and the 90/45 day timing requirements.
