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Supervisors declare Shaw Road property blighted and order cleanup within 30 days after neighbors complain of fires, trash and unsafe living conditions
Summary
After neighbors reported repeated trash burning, tents, an occupied camper and open sewage odors at 18257 Shaw Road, the board declared the parcel blighted and ordered the property be cleaned within 30 days; staff will proceed with enforcement and remediation if not addressed.
The Harrison County Board of Supervisors declared a property at 18257 Shaw Road blighted and ordered the owner to clean and secure the site within 30 days after neighbors described long‑running health and safety problems.
Neighbors’ complaints
Multiple neighbors described persistent problems including daily open burning of plastic, frequent late‑night foot and bicycle traffic, loud generators running through the night, alleged open defecation in wooded areas, and a recent trailer fire. Speakers said no power or running water was present at several of the structures on the parcel and that occupants appeared to be living in non‑permitted outbuildings and campers. One neighbor said the conditions had persisted for decades; another described the property as a public‑safety and nuisance problem.
Staff recommendation and board action
Code enforcement staff displayed photographs and recommended the board declare the property blighted and allow the county to proceed with nuisance abatement if the owners did not remedy the conditions within 30 days. The board voted to declare the property blighted, ordered remediation within 30 days and authorized county crews to clean the parcel and place a lien for costs if the owners failed to act. Staff said a follow‑up enforcement option permitted county work on the property without additional hearing for a limited number of times per year if the nuisance re‑occurs.
What happens next
County staff said that if the owner does not complete the cleanup within the 30‑day period the county road/cleanup crews will perform the work and the cost will be assessed as a lien on the property; staff also said they would coordinate with law enforcement if safety issues or occupant resistance arise. Staff asked that enforcement crews be notified in advance of any planned site work to address security or safety concerns.
Ending
Neighbors thanked the board and code staff for taking action; supervisors requested continued monitoring and said they would ask the road crew to keep an eye on the site during the cleanup window.
