More property owners get warning letters for downtown code violations

The first round in a crackdown against property maintenance violations in downtown Corbin has met with success, one official says, and a second wave of warning letters have been sent this week to property owners who are in violation.

With the first round of letters asking property owners to resolve various maintenance issues producing results, Corbin Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Office Frank Burke has issued “notices of violation” to three more downtown property owners.

The latest recipients include:

• Derek Ray Eubanks 922 South Main Street — vacant garage needs painting and general maintenance, broken windows

• Burlyn G. Calder, 812 South Kentucky Street — painting and general maintenance on apartments.

• Glenn Sasser — abandoned Bluegrass Archery sign facing Depot Street.

Burke said his initial wave of six letters was successful. Most have agreed voluntarily to correct the violations. If ignored, Burke said he has the option of issuing citations that carry with them the possiblity of civil fines.

“It has been pretty positive,” Burke said. “By far, the majority have contacted the office and agreed to take care of the problems.”

Again, Burke said the most recent letters, which were mailed Monday, have elicited the desired response as the property owners have contacted Burke’s office and agreed to do what is needed or offered a time frame in which the work will be completed.

The letters were a “notice of violation,” in which Burke noted previous attempts to have the issues resolved and giving the property owners one last chance before they would be cited. If a citation is issued, the property owner(s) face a fine up to $500
Though Burke said no additional letters will be mailed in the next week, there will be additional letters going out in the coming weeks.

“These letters have focused on downtown,” Burke said. “I will be spiraling out toward other areas.”

The increased effort to address property maintenance violations downtown comes on the heels of a town hall meeting last summer led by Burke and Main Street Manager Sharae Myers focusing on the issue. Prior to the meeting, a letter was sent to all downtown property owners asking that they fix potential property maintenance violations in order to help beautify the town.