Address has long list of violations
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Marietta City Councilmember Geoff Schenkel says he has lived in Harmar for 20 years and there has been a paint scaffold on the gable end of the 605 Pearl St. building that has never been moved in all that time.
But that detail doesn't really reflect maintenance procrastination that reaches a whole other level.
In December 2019, the Marietta Police Department contacted representatives of the Marietta/Belpre Health Department and Marietta City Code Enforcement to accompany police to 605 Pearl St. and make an inspection of the premises while police were serving a search warrant there. That inspection was conducted.
That was followed by a January 2020 Notice of Violation and Correction Order letter notifying owner John Parsons of the inspection that had been done. The inspection found that the structure was being lived in by multiple persons in various parts of the building, although it apparently contained only one abandoned second-floor apartment and the remainder was being used for storage of various items.
It also revealed several violations of the International Property Maintenance Code the City of Marietta had adopted, plus violations of Marietta building code ordinances, the letter said.
The letter declared it a vacant structure, other than the items in storage. The letter concluded with the order that Parsons cease and desist the use of the structure as a boarding house and/or homeless shelter "until you obtain all necessary permits, approvals and inspections" from appropriate agencies as listed.
A second letter to Parsons went into detail of required remedial work. The building needed a complete renovation including electrical work, plumbing work and water and wastewater accommodations. The grounds required removal of all junk vehicles, garbage, trash and junk. It also directed that all human and animal feces be cleaned up and removed.
The second letter reminded Parsons that the structure had been declared unsafe for human occupancy or use.
"It is unlawful for anyone to use or occupy this structure until all corrections are made and inspected." The letter said the property owner had 120 days from the date of the Notice and Order to make the corrections "or the structure shall be demolished." The 120-day period cited in the letter expired May 26, 2020.
Nancy Taylor can be reached at ntaylor@newsandsentinel.com