A property in Richmond County is facing demolition unless a prospective owner can address safety concerns.
During last night’s regular monthly meeting of Richmond Municipal Council in Arichat, a master carpenter tasked with making upgrades to a property in Whiteside has until Jan. 4 to remove or fence-in a chimney, put up no trespassing signs, board windows and remove hazards.
The Eastern District Planning Commission’s John Bain told council a strong odour has been detected from the former residence and power has been disconnected for the past two-and-a-half years. Although he sees demolition orders as a “severe remedy,” and usually recommends “compassion,” Bain believes a demolition order is a “sound recommendation,” given the property fits with almost all criteria for dangerous and unsightly.
Because the matter needs to be dealt with “immediately,” Bain said both the current owners and the potential buyer are aware what needs to be done and how long they have to remedy the property.
Council passed a motion to have the property owner address safety concerns by Jan. 4, and if that is done to submit an engineering plan by Jan. 25. If those steps are not taken, council will proceed with a demolition order.