County gives owner 20 days to clear James River Canal property or face county cleanup and lien

The Greenbrier County Commission ordered the owner of a condemned property in the James River/Canal area to clear buildings, vehicles and refuse within 20 days, after staff outlined unsanitary conditions and neighbors recounted years of complaints.

Planning staff told the commission that the property was condemned as a public hazard in October 2024 and that several campers and unpermitted outbuildings had been placed in the floodplain and were being lived in intermittently without utilities or sewer. Staff said the health department had found an improvised latrine and a trench dug toward the creek; staff said the latrine was removed after the health department’s visit.

Neighbors described persistent trash, fires and vehicle stripping on the property. “It’s a terrible mess there and stuff scattered out everywhere,” one neighbor said, describing multiple campers and vehicles and concerns about contamination and smoke from burning. Another neighbor said the situation has persisted since 2024 and that authorities had been contacted without a lasting remedy.

The property representative who spoke said that some cleanup had begun and asked for additional time; he said he is moving items to another parcel and that the remaining tires and debris are being removed.

After discussion, the chair moved that the owner have 20 days from the hearing date to clear all buildings, vehicles and trash or the county contractor would perform the work and the county would place a lien. Commissioners voted in favor. The commission adjourned the hearing shortly afterward.

Next steps: staff will track the 20-day compliance window, and if cleanup is not completed the county will contract the removal and place a lien on the property as authorized by the commission’s motion.