Homeowner’s failure to maintain property angers neighbors, leads to citation

A ramshackle, crumbling storage barn can be seen from the backyard of nearby neighbors who complain a property on Ruggles Street in Corbin is overgrown, unkempt and dangerous.

A neighborhood dispute over overgrown trees and fencing in addition to outbuildings that are collapsing is going before the Corbin Code Enforcement Board.

Jerry Engle, who lives next door to the overgrown property, says the unattended brush and dilapidated building on the Ruggles Street property not only makes for a disturbing site to see everyday, but also has brought snakes, rodents, dogs and cats into his yard.

“I have killed eight to 10 snakes in the yard,” Engle said, noting he doesn’t let his children play outside and didn’t even bother to fill the aboveground pool this year.

In addition, he said a portion of the chain link fencing boarding the two properties fell on one of his children back in May. The child was not injured, but Engle said it is a symptom of the larger problem.

Engle said he has contacted Corbin Building Inspector Frank Burke on a weekly basis since March 2012 and even called Corbin City Manager Marlon Sams asking that something be done about the property that belongs to Lawrence Johnson.

Johnson said he is more than willing to clean up the property, take down the crumbling building and have a new fence installed. What he needs is time from the city to work his way through the lengthy list of issues to be corrected that also includes debris littering the yard.

Burke said he has sent multiple notices to Johnson and even gone out to speak with him about what needs to be done with the property, but as that has failed to produce results, he cited Johnson to appear before the code board.

Johnson noted that within the last week, eight junk cars have been hauled away from the property, leaving him with a car and a truck. He added that he has contacted a fencing company to remove the old fence and install a new one. However, he also needs some help from his Engle, who he says has placed his shed and flower bed up against or very close to the fence.

“The property line has to be cleared because they have to be able to get on both sides to dig the holes and install the fence,” Johnson said.

As to the falling fence, Johnson contends the fence was damaged by Engle and his family reaching over it, or climbing over it to retrieve their sports balls.

“All of the fence posts are bent but they are solidly in the ground,” Johnson said, adding Tuesday night that the fence will be removed within the next couple of days.

Johnson added there are a number of smaller issues that Burke noted that need to be resolved. Johnson said he has the financial means and wants to be a good neighbor for as long as he lives on Ruggles Street.

“I have lived here close to 30 years and it was okay,” Johnson said. “Now there are too many things. I’m willing to do everything they want. All I am asking for is time.”

Burke said this is not the first time he has had maintenance issues with Johnson over the property.

Burke said this is not the first time he has dealt with Johnson over issues with the property.

“He cleaned it up, but it was soon back in the same condition,” Burke said.

Johnson said he in the process of finding another place to live, preferably outside the Corbin city limits. He noted he has been in contact with several realtors about potential properties.

“I’m going to be selling it as soon as I can,” Johnson said of the property, noting that he wants to live a few miles out of Corbin.

The code enforcement board will meet Nov. 4 at city hall.