Code Enforcement Board issues stiff fines against four property owners

Corbin’s Code Enforcement Board issued stiff fines against four property owners Monday for failure to adequately maintain property in various locations around town.

During the three-member board’s regularly monthly Monday, action was taken to fined the four property owners $500 each. Corbin Code Enforcement Officer Frank Burke said each of the properties in question were initially the subject of citations lack of exterior maintenance.

“They just weren’t taking care of the grass,” Burke said. “All of these have been an ongoing problem.”
The properties in question are:

• 2007 S. Kentucky Street, owned by Jewell Martin;

• A vacant lot on McFadden Drive owned by Rick and Diane Jones;

• 908 Barbourville Street, owned by Bank of New York Mellon;

• 2104 S. Main Street, owned by Doug Vaughn.

Burke said Vaughn was the most egregious offender with a total of $1,375 worth of mowing fees owed to the city. Bank of New York Mellon, he added, owes over $1,000 in mowing fees.

All of the property owners had been notified of the maintenance violations and never answered to the charges. Anyone issued a citation has an opportunity to request a hearing before the board to dispute the allegations.

The board has the authority to issue civil penalties and make corrective orders to compel compliance with the city’s property maintenances ordinances and code.

In other business, the board heard an update on businesses that remain delinquent in paying for a 2014 business license.
All businesses in Corbin are required to purchase a business license annually. Payment for the license is due by the end of April. In October, Burke said over 30 businesses had failed to purchase a license. The number had been reduced to just two on Monday: Quality Used Tires and Max Toys and Games.

Burke said he’d visited both business owners who said they planned to purchase licenses before week’s end.

In the past, the board has issued fines and even ordered local businesses to close for failing to purchase a business license.