Board condemns two Chestnut properties, tables Hendricks case to March 23

At its Feb. 23 meeting the Anderson Board of Public Safety affirmed the condemnation and demolition of two city-owned properties at 1022 Chestnut and 1023 Chestnut, near Edgewater Park, and tabled a separate condemnation matter involving the Hendricks property until March 23 to give the owner an opportunity to submit architectural drawings.

A code-enforcement staff member reviewed the Hendricks matter and said the owner had not produced architectural plans; staff recommended condemnation because the structure could not be saved without drawings and necessary funding. The board agreed to table the item to the March 23 meeting to allow the owner 30 days to present plans. The staff member said, “I can't save half a house,” explaining that without architectural drawings and funding the building could not be brought up to code.

Separately, staff presented paperwork and photographs for city-owned properties at 1022 and 1023 Chestnut adjacent to Edgewater Park and asked the board to affirm condemnation and demolition. A board member moved to condemn and approve demolition; the motion was seconded and the board approved demolition.

Why it matters: Demolition decisions affect neighborhood conditions, city property management and potential future redevelopment near Edgewater Park. The board’s tabling of the Hendricks property gives the owner a procedural window to present plans but leaves the threat of condemnation in place if no plans are filed.

The board also approved conflict-of-interest paperwork related to rescue demolition work for Joey Keyes; staff will include the paperwork in the administrative record.