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Middletown mayor's code enforcement committee hears updates on disputed properties, schedules reinspections
Summary
At a Jan. 9 meeting, the Mayor's Code Enforcement Committee approved December minutes, heard that an attorney says an upper floor is being used only for storage at a property dubbed the "forbidden llama," and scheduled reinspections at several addresses while awaiting action from the state's attorney on one case.
The Mayor's Code Enforcement Committee met on Jan. 9, 2025, at 9:01 a.m. and approved the Dec. 12 minutes by unanimous vote. The chair opened the meeting, noted no members of the public were present, and moved into updates from the mayor's office and land use and building departments.
The committee discussed a long-running case referred to in the meeting as the "forbidden llama." Tom said the property's zoning attorney provided photographs and told the committee the lessee "are testifying that they are not using any of the upper floors for any other uses other than storage at this time," and that the attorney said enforcement action would await a further violation to build a history. Dean added that "the last time we walked up there with the fire marshals, there was nothing in the rooms at all," which he said matched the attorney's photographs.
Why it matters: Committee members said that without evidence of a current violation the options for immediate enforcement are limited. The issue remains open; committee members agreed to discuss next steps after the meeting and to continue monitoring the property.
On land-use cases, members discussed 455 and 465 Middlefield Street. Tom reported repeated attempts to reach Mr. Willis's attorney but said he had not received the promised return calls; the process has "moved forward quite a bit" but was currently stalled for the season, and there were continuing concerns about an accessory pen leased too close to a residential zone. The committee did not take any formal new enforcement action at the meeting.
At 52 North Main Street, cited in December, committee members said the 30-day correction period expired on Jan. 1 and planned a reinspection; they noted structural work is needed to replace decking over a collapsed foundation and that securing the building will be a substantial undertaking. Dean said he and Tom had previously visited the site and would follow up with another drive-by inspection.
The building department reported no permit yet for 699 Country Club Road because the applicant is waiting for land-use approval. Staff said they requested a warrant through the state's attorney's office and were awaiting confirmation that a summons had been issued to compel compliance; the committee took no additional action pending that process.
The committee adjourned at 9:07 a.m. after a seconded motion to adjourn passed unanimously.
Votes at a glance: The committee unanimously approved the Dec. 12 meeting minutes and later unanimously approved adjournment at 9:07 a.m.
Notes: No members of the public spoke during the meeting, and no formal new enforcement orders were issued during this session. Committee members said they will continue to monitor the properties and coordinate with the state's attorney when legal action is needed.
