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Thomasville council votes 4–2 to condemn deteriorated house at 2 Westwood Avenue
Summary
After a public hearing presenting code violations, outstanding utility charges and repeated police calls, the Thomasville City Council approved an ordinance to condemn 2 Westwood Avenue by a 4–2 vote; the property owner’s daughter asked the council for time to resolve financial and custodial hardships.
The Thomasville City Council voted 4–2 on March 17 to approve an ordinance to condemn the property at 2 Westwood Avenue, citing longstanding housing code violations, an outstanding water balance and recurrent calls for police service.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Chuck George told the council that an inspection found the structure in noncompliance with housing standards, neighbors had filed ongoing complaints, and the city’s water department records show $3,564.49 in unpaid bills tied to the property. City Attorney Misti Whitman said staff had received reports that people living at the address had allegedly connected to neighbors’ utilities and were disposing laundry water into the driveway, creating health and nuisance concerns for nearby residents.
The council opened the public hearing and heard from Chloe Grant, who said she is the daughter of the owner and that her mother signed a deed transferring ownership to her. Grant said the family is facing severe financial and personal hardship; she described plans to pay back taxes and finalize the deed transfer after receiving a pending deposit that would allow her to address outstanding bills and regain custody of her children. The hearing was closed after her remarks.
Council Member Doug Hunt moved to adopt the condemnation ordinance based on the facts presented by city staff; Council Member Scott Styers seconded. The motion passed with four votes in favor and two opposed. Council Members JacQuez Johnson and Payton Williams voted against the ordinance.
City Manager Brandt later explained that the ordinance gives the property owner 30 days to remedy water and power issues and that any unpaid charges could be placed as liens on the property, with payment-plan options available. Staff will investigate the water-connection claims and coordinate with Duke Energy regarding power issues.
The council’s action is limited to the municipal condemnation process; no demolition timetable was announced at the meeting. Where a remedy is not completed within the period set by the ordinance, subsequent steps could follow under the city’s enforcement procedures.
