Sylvania Township trustees order house removal

Sylvania Township trustees have authorized the removal of a house in the 8900 block of Brint Road.

The trustees at their meeting Tuesday declared the single-family house at 8990 Brint “insecure, unsafe, or structurally defective.” The property is owned by Paul and Jane Thompson, who weren’t present at the meeting and could not be reached for comment. A message was left for them.

The 1½-story, wood-frame house was built in 1887, according to the Lucas County auditor’s website. The total property value is listed at $155,380, including $44,900 for the building and $110,480 for the land.

According to the resolution, the property was declared “insecure, unsafe, or structurally defective” by the township fire department after it was examined by the fire department and LKL Engineers Ltd., a local structural engineering company.

Pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code, the property owners will be notified by certified mail that the structure will be removed within 30 days after the notice is served.

The notice will include a statement informing the owners that they are entitled to a hearing and that a request for a hearing must be made in writing within 20 days of the notice being mailed.

Should the property owners fail to request such a hearing, the township administrator is authorized “to take all actions necessary: to remove the structures, pay for such removal, and collect the costs.”

The resolution was passed with Trustees Jill Johnson and Neal Mahoney voting yes. Trustee John Jennewine abstained.

When asked after the meeting adjourned why he abstained, Mr. Jennewine said he “grew up in that neighborhood,” then said he “was not available for comment.”

In other action, the trustees approved a resolution to authorize the use of a $485,000 state grant earmarked for supporting the safety training and grounds improvement at township Fire Station No. 4 and to allow a local fund match.