Building Inspector begins push to enforce property maintenance codes in downtown Corbin

A push is underway this week to clean up property maintenance issues in downtown Corbin, and Corbin’s main code officer said he plans to target a total of about 18 different problem spots as part of the enforcement effort.

In June, city officials held a public forum to illustrate some of the issues in an effort to encourage property owners to help beautify downtown Corbin. About 15 people attended. The meeting was a follow up to a letter to all downtown property owners asking they voluntarily make improvements to their buildings and lots to help beautify the city’s central business district, and to bring the properties in compliance with property maintenance codes.

According to Corbin Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer Frank Burke, "notice of violation" letters were mailed to six property owners Friday detailing problems with properties they own in the downtown area. The latest move is the "next step" he said in working to solve property maintenance problems downtown.

The letters address issues with the following property owners:

• Jack Cloyd – Chandler Printing Building has wood panels in disrepair;

• Drayer’s Land Company LLC – bricks and rotted pallets piled at the rear of a building at the corner of Depot and Sixth Streets;

• Eubanks Realty – large pile of concrete rubble sitting near Main Street in front of Eubanks Electrical Supply, Inc.

• The Depot on Main, LLC, – old painted B&H Shoes sign at rear of building faded and in poor repair.

• Wes and Jeff Tipton – wall left from demolition of former building at the corner of Gordon and Depot Streets in disrepair

• James Alsip, – storage area at rear of A-1 Car Care building at the corner of Gordon and Main Streets filled with rubbish and debris that needs cleaned up and disposed of.

Burke is asking the respective property owners to take steps to fix the problems.

"It is just a general letter but it listed areas of concern," Burke said. "Most of the concerns are property maintenance, just keeping it kept up and painted."

Many of the issues are minor and would not take too much time, effort or money to correct, Burke said.

"These are simple little things that could be fixed in a couple of hours."

Corbin Main Street Manager Sharae Myers said downtown Corbin has come a long way since the revitalization effort began in 2007.

"There are still some places that have been neglected," Myers said. "We want people to know it is time to pay attention to your own front porch."

The property owners have 30 days to take corrective action or offer a reason as to why the repairs have not begun. Burke said he is will to work with property owners who show a genuine interest in making corrections.

"Just show us your are doing something," Burke said, acknowledging there are items such as paint that must wait for better weather.

Wes Tipton, a partner in the law firm of Tipton and Tipton, said Wednesday he had not received the letter yet, but added he was willing to work with the city to do whatever needed to be done to correct problems with the free-standing wall he owns at the corner of Gordon and Depot Streets.

Bruce Carpenter, co-owner of The Depot on Main, said he did not have a problem adhering to the request as soon as the weather permitted.

The Depot on Main building is actually owned by Rick and Holly Curry.

"I talked to Holly today and we certainly have no problem addressing that issue when the weather breaks," Carpenter said. "I believe 100 percent in the efforts to beautify downtown and fully support what the city is trying to do."

Carpenter said he did not realize the painted sign was a property maintenance violation. If he had, he would have had it fixed months ago, he added.

The News Journal attempted also to contact Bo Eubanks, owner of Eubanks Realty, but calls seeking comment were not returned.
Burke said Eubanks had received the notices of violation for the pile of rubble and the nearby bricks and pallets.

"He said he planned to clean it up when the weather got better," Burke said.

Property owners who fail to take any action or contact Burke regarding the situation can be given a formal citation. The city’s three-member Code Enforcement Board can levy fines of $100 up to $500 for first offense violations of property maintenance codes.

Burke said property owners who are cited may file an appeal to the board and even have a hearing pleading their case if they feel they have been improperly cited or are not guilty of the violation.

If the board denies the appeal and the property owner still does not take corrective measures, Burke said the board could levy additional fines.

"We are not here to punish or infringe on anyone’s rights," Burke said, adding the goal is to eliminate health and safety concerns in the city. "We are trying to beautify the Main Street area and address some health and safety issues."

Burke said this is just the first round of letters, noting four more letters will be mailed today and at least two more letters will go out by the end of the week. He said he plans to send out 16 to 18 letters in all by early March.

Burke denied he has a personal stake in the enforcement efforts, explaining it is his job to enforce property maintenance codes in the downtown area, which extends along Depot Street, Main Street and Kentucky Ave. from the intersection of Kentucky Ave. and Main Street to the Laurel County line.

He added he has not shown favoritism toward any individual or group while on the job.

"I have never been directed by anyone at city hall to investigate or not to investigate a particular property," Burke said. "City officials have come to me with concerns about certain properties. I check them out just like any other complaint. But I never cite anyone without verifying the situation."

Burke said property owners who need additional time correcting problems can contact him to work out an acceptable timetable.