Sewage leaks and inactive utilities prompt several emergency vacates in Evansville

At its July 25 hearing, the Vanderburgh County Building Commission affirmed emergency vacate orders at multiple Evansville addresses after inspectors presented evidence of raw sewage, inactive utilities or unsafe auxiliary structures.

Inspector Lukey told the commission he had observed sewage at 803 Jackson Avenue "spilling into the yard and out into the public streets," and recommended an emergency vacate. The hearing officer agreed and told the respondent to provide proof of repair before the order could be lifted.

Inspector Embry described a camper at 1316 East Illinois Street lacking active utility connections and said it was not suitable for habitation; he recommended an emergency vacate of the camper, which the commission affirmed. Embry also said the initial complaint included an allegation of a sewer leak though he did not observe active leakage during his inspection.

At 1409–1411 Jeanette Avenue, Inspector Martin testified that sewage was coming up from floor drains in both units and that remediation was required; the property manager had released tenants from their leases and the commission affirmed the vacate order as a public-health hazard.

In a separate enforcement decision, the hearing officer imposed a $1,000 civil penalty for willful noncompliance where testimony indicated an owner refused to restore water service to tenants at a duplex on North Ferris Avenue. "We will grant a thousand dollar civil penalty for willful noncompliance," the hearing officer said after hearing staff reports.

Hearing officer Ryan Schultz repeatedly advised respondents that the vacate orders would remain in effect until inspectors verified repairs and asked owners to submit proof of repair or remediation to the building commission so orders could be lifted. Several cases were scheduled for status review at the end of August or in September.