The upkeep and cleanliness of property was one of several issues addressed by the Laurel City Council during their last meeting.
The council set November 5 as the public hearing date for 12 pieces of properties in the city to determine whether or not the properties are in such a state of uncleanliness so as to be a menace to the public health and safety of the community.
Also this week, the council conducted public hearings for eight pieces of property. Public hearings were set to determine “overgrown property status” at several locations in the city limits.
Three of the pieces of property discussed during the meeting belonged to Mitchell Asmar Jr. Asmar attended the meeting and addressed the council on each of the properties. The properties discussed are located in Wards 2, 5 and 6.
According to city records, the land is located at vacant lot Right of Way between 9th and 8th Avenue, a 100 feet Right of Way at 14th to 15th Avenue being .8 of an acre, and a piece of property at 103 Walters Avenue.
Asmar told the council that he had he had gained the ROW land in some land deals and had no interest in the two pieces of right of way property being discussed and did not plan to invest any money in them to clean them up.
However, the businessman told the council that the property at Walters Avenue was of concern to him and he had cleaned it up.
“I don’t know why the city is getting involved in this business,” Asmar said when the council decided to vote to continue with the cleanup process. “I think it’s unfair for you to tell me what to do with my business.”
However, the council members voted to allow the city to clean the property.
Council members heard from a representative of the inspection department who stated that its important for property owners to keep their land clean. Members of the council encouraged the property owner to keep his land maintained.
Also, in separate matters, city officials discussed property at 624 West 12th Street, which is owned by Harvey Lang. The property is in Ward Two of the city. Councilman George Carmichael said Lang died in a car accident last year, but no one had additional information about property ownership. The council agreed to grant a 60-day extension while the city’s inspection department makes sure the current property owners have been notified.
With a 6-0 vote, the council agreed to allow the city to clean up property at the Northeast Corner of Masonite Drive and Ash Street, which is owned by Pace Property Investments, and assess the cost back to the property tax ID number. The property is located in Ward Five of the city;
The council also agreed to clean the property at 711 Royal Street, which is owned by Empire Investments 3. This property is located in Ward 6 of the city.
Officials also determined that the property at 1134 Capitol Street, which is owned by L & E Properties LLC, was in a state of uncleanliness and agreed to allow the city to clean property and assess cost back to tax ID number.
Also, the property at 503 East 19th Street was determined to need cleanup. The property is listed as being owned by Ammiedell Andrews EST and to be located in Ward 4 of the city.
The council also approved some lot cleaning assessments and adopted an order to ratify approval of the notice of the October 24 Historic Commission public meeting.