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By Jean Braithwaite
Tribune Correspondent
KEYSER - One of the cases brought before the Mineral County Building Safety Commission several months ago was reviewed and closed during the recent meeting of the agency.
According to Scott Clay, county planner, the structure on the property of the estate of the late Skip Miller on Route 220 “has been demolished, graded, and the area is now in the restoration process.”
Clay also mentioned with the leveling of the Miller house, a total of three structures have been torn down - all due to concerns brought before the Building Safety group.
Adding to this, County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle stated, “These are success stories on behalf of the agency.”
Another case first discussed by the agency during the May meeting was on the agenda again this week - the burned-out structure near the intersection of Headsville Road and Fried Meat Ridge.
Explaining the procedure to answer the initial complaint, Clay stated a registered letter is sent to the land owners to inform them of the complaint.
Saying the burned-out property owners are residents of Maryland, Clay said, “The registered letter was returned unclaimed.”
Although tabled until the next meeting, Clay said, “We
will proceed with this case as soon as possible.”
The building in question was partially burned on July 31, 2004.
Several additional cases, including one in the village of Patterson Creek and the other in the Meadows section of the county, were tabled until the July meeting.
However, no progress has been shown on the Sunderland property in the northern end of the county, which was once again discussed by the members of the agency, as Clay said, “The property looks the same as before.”
The original complaint was registered many months ago, and the Sunderland lot was overgrown with weeds and brush, the yard strewn with broken glass and shreds of metal, along with several junked cars on the property, with access into the dwelling through an opened garage door.
Agreeing that this particular property is “troublesome” and the owner was to have corrected the situation in April, the Building Safety members want legal action taken with the case to go before the County Commission for a recommendation.
Wanting the Building Safety agency to “show no favorites” with the safety and health issues that are received for process, Clay is working with the office of the Mineral County prosecutor to develop proper procedure forms that will be used if and when the complaints must be forwarded to the county commissioners.
In relation to abandoned buildings and unsafe structures, Spiggle suggested an early July tour of the community of Wiley Ford.
“There are good people living in Wiley Ford and problem solving is needed for the present danger concerning the number of abandoned buildings,” Spiggle said.
Referring to the possibility of fires starting in the vacant structures, Spiggle stated those present on the tour will be allowed “to look, listen, and then discuss solutions.”
Invited to be part of the tour along with Building Safety members will be state and county government officials, and members of local fire companies.
Spiggle stated Wiley Ford is one of several small communities in the county that face the problem of unsafe structures, also naming Elk Garden and Piedmont as “having real needs but limited resources.”
The next meeting for the Building Safety agency is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, at 4 p.m., at the Mineral County Courthouse.
By Jean Braithwaite
Tribune Correspondent
KEYSER - One of the cases brought before the Mineral County Building Safety Commission several months ago was reviewed and closed during the recent meeting of the agency.
According to Scott Clay, county planner, the structure on the property of the estate of the late Skip Miller on Route 220 “has been demolished, graded, and the area is now in the restoration process.”
Clay also mentioned with the leveling of the Miller house, a total of three structures have been torn down - all due to concerns brought before the Building Safety group.
Adding to this, County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle stated, “These are success stories on behalf of the agency.”
Another case first discussed by the agency during the May meeting was on the agenda again this week - the burned-out structure near the intersection of Headsville Road and Fried Meat Ridge.
Explaining the procedure to answer the initial complaint, Clay stated a registered letter is sent to the land owners to inform them of the complaint.
Saying the burned-out property owners are residents of Maryland, Clay said, “The registered letter was returned unclaimed.”
Although tabled until the next meeting, Clay said, “We
will proceed with this case as soon as possible.”
The building in question was partially burned on July 31, 2004.
Several additional cases, including one in the village of Patterson Creek and the other in the Meadows section of the county, were tabled until the July meeting.
However, no progress has been shown on the Sunderland property in the northern end of the county, which was once again discussed by the members of the agency, as Clay said, “The property looks the same as before.”
The original complaint was registered many months ago, and the Sunderland lot was overgrown with weeds and brush, the yard strewn with broken glass and shreds of metal, along with several junked cars on the property, with access into the dwelling through an opened garage door.
Agreeing that this particular property is “troublesome” and the owner was to have corrected the situation in April, the Building Safety members want legal action taken with the case to go before the County Commission for a recommendation.
Wanting the Building Safety agency to “show no favorites” with the safety and health issues that are received for process, Clay is working with the office of the Mineral County prosecutor to develop proper procedure forms that will be used if and when the complaints must be forwarded to the county commissioners.
In relation to abandoned buildings and unsafe structures, Spiggle suggested an early July tour of the community of Wiley Ford.
“There are good people living in Wiley Ford and problem solving is needed for the present danger concerning the number of abandoned buildings,” Spiggle said.
Referring to the possibility of fires starting in the vacant structures, Spiggle stated those present on the tour will be allowed “to look, listen, and then discuss solutions.”
Invited to be part of the tour along with Building Safety members will be state and county government officials, and members of local fire companies.
Spiggle stated Wiley Ford is one of several small communities in the county that face the problem of unsafe structures, also naming Elk Garden and Piedmont as “having real needs but limited resources.”
The next meeting for the Building Safety agency is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28, at 4 p.m., at the Mineral County Courthouse.
