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Florence resident urges enforcement at long-vacant Ivanhoe Drive property; city says summons issued and staff coordinating with Society Hill police
Summary
A resident told council an eight-year-vacant home at 600 Ivanhoe Drive is unsafe and unsanitary; the city manager said staff have an active summons and are working with the Society Hill Police Department to serve the out-of-county owner and pursue code enforcement.
Tammy Broach, a Florence resident and nurse, told the City Council that a house at 600 Ivanhoe Drive has been vacant for about eight years, remains unmaintained and constitutes an unsafe and unsanitary nuisance that invites trespass, homelessness and potential drug activity.
Broach said neighbors have called many times and that the property is unsecured. She brought photographs to the meeting and said efforts to serve the owner have failed because the owner resides in a neighboring county. She urged the council to enforce the city's property-maintenance code, including boarding up access, entering the property when legally permitted, and pursuing lot-maintenance violations.
"This home has been vacant for approximately 8 years and has not been maintained at all," Broach said. "It remains unsafe, unsanitary and is continuing to be a nuisance. The property is not secure." She told council that the location is on a cul-de-sac with small children and teenagers in the neighborhood and that the condition invites mischief.
City Manager Scotty (first name not provided in the public record excerpt) responded that staff have inspected the property and have an active summons. He said the owner lives in Society Hill and that city staff have worked with the Society Hill Police Department to submit the summons to that department's police chief. Scotty said the city has many such derelict properties and that code enforcement and court processes are available but rely on being able to serve owners who live outside the city.
Councilman Jabali thanked Broach for coming and acknowledged the frustration with derelict properties citywide, saying many neighborhoods experience similar problems. The city manager said staff will continue to pursue the court process and coordination with the neighboring jurisdiction.
No formal council action was recorded at the meeting specifically directing immediate demolition or city-funded remediation for 600 Ivanhoe Drive; staff reported an active summons and interjurisdictional cooperation was underway.
Speakers on this item included Tammy Broach (resident), Councilman Jabali (who spoke in support and acknowledged the scale of derelict-property issues), and City Manager Scotty (who described staff actions and the limits of city jurisdiction when owners live out of town).
