The City of Independence moves forward with condemnation of ten properties across the City deemed dangerous and unsafe, including a Laurel Street trailer park.
The move came at last night's City commission meeting. Residents in the park located at 1610 West Laurel were issued notices to vacate last spring after the park's owner stopped paying the water bill and the utility was shut off. Assistant City Manager David Cowan says, since that time, the condition of the park has declined.
Action on the trailer park may be costly to the City with the estimated cost of abatement falling between $50 and $60 thousand dollars ($50,000 and $60,000). Commissioner Scott Smith says it makes sense to take care of the issue sooner rather than later.
Commissioners agreed to postpone a final decision on the property and adjourned the issue until December 10th in order to give city officials more time to find a solution. In other business, commissioners voted to move forward with condemnation on nine other properties and set a date for a Public Hearing on November 12th for another six.
