By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Condemned properties slated for the wrecking ball were given a little more time for property owners to respond to notices sent by the city of Paris’ Codes and Enforcement Department.
The Paris Housing Board of Adjustments and Appeals met Thursday evening and discussed several items of business. In old business, Codes Enforcement Director Rebecca Renkel provided updates on the status of demolition for properties at 718 West Blythe St. and 713 West Blythe St. And under new business, the status of condemnation proceedings on properties at 500 Draper St., 309 Osse St., and 506 Irvine St. was provided.
Owner Meredith Taconi has until July 29 to file an injunction with the Chancery Court to prevent demolition at 718 West Blythe and Owner Matthew Scherfel has until August 11 for property at 713 West Blythe.
Renkel and Building Inspector Jesse Skidmore recommended that the properties on Draper, Osse and Irvine be condemned and provided photos of the condition of the properties for board members. In his report, Skidmore noted the buildings are uninhabitable and pose hazards of fire, accidents, structural defects, etc.
Skidmore said the property at 500 Draper owned by William Robinson “is past the point of being able to save it”. After a report from Skidmore and Renkel and input from City Attorney James Smith, the board voted to provide 30 more days for the owner to respond and if no response, demolition will proceed.
Similar discussion of the property at 309 Osse St. ensued and Skidmore said the property, “top to bottom is in disrepair”. He said the city has not heard back from Owner James Derrick Littleton and the board voted to give the owner 30 more days to respond before demolition.
The property at 506 Irvine St. owned by Carnell Bomar-Williams was discussed at length, with Skidmore noting that the property was condemned several years ago by the previous Codes Inspector. “It’s just beyond saving,” he said.
A new owner–who said he purchased the property June 14 –appeared at the meeting and said the house “is repairable and it’s not as bad inside as it looks.” He said he plans to repair the home but has not been able to get in touch with local contractors. He told the board he could get in touch with contractors to look at the home and he would report back to the board on the status.
Skidmore said, “It’s not our goal to take people’s houses away, but it’s also not our goal to let them sit”.
After the new owner provides a report on whether he can find a contractor to work on the home, the matter will be taken up at the next housing board meeting.
Photo: Housing Board Members listen to the report from Rebecca Renkel. (Shannon McFarlin photo).