A Richmond property that’s been under scrutiny for being “unsightly” for 15 years is once again before city council to get it cleaned up.
The property at 10100 Severn Dr. – near Williams and No. 4 roads – was last the subject of a cleanup order in 2022.
A special city council meeting will be held on June 24 where the property owner's son, who lives there, is appealing the latest cleanup order.
Over the 15 years, there have been 18 reports of “unsightly premises” at the address.
On Aug. 1, 2023, city staff were at the property and saw “an accumulation of cardboard materials, tarps and pallets in the driveway, carport and piled at the rear of the property,” the report notes.
The owner was issued an order on Aug. 22 to clean up with a deadline of Sept. 6. There have been 14 follow-up visits from city staff since the order, and they’ve documented “minimal and slow moving progress in meeting the conditions” of the order.
Staff noticed that material stored in the front of the house in early 2024 was moved to the rear and hidden under tarps and other “items.”
Six violation notices have been issued, each with a penalty of $450.
At the time of city staff’s report, none of the tickets had been paid.
The order states that all newsprint, cardboard and paper products on the property and in the carport be removed and all material under tarps be removed.
The order was hand-delivered to the property owner’s son, but he has since appealed it.
If the appeal is denied by city council, staff will have the site cleaned and this will be billed to the owner.
Previously, the owner’s son was ordered to clean up derelict cars and a shipping container.
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