By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Salisbury City Council will consider the demolition of two houses, including the fire-ravaged structure across from Salisbury High School on Lincolnton Road.
Fire seriously damaged the house at 517 Lincolnton Road Aug. 27, 2007. Some windows were boarded up, but otherwise the house has been deteriorating since the fire.
Neighbors have complained that the house is a nuisance. City code enforcement officers held a hearing on the house Nov. 13, 2008, and followed up with a letter to owner Michael Williams giving him until Jan. 12 to repair or remove the house.
Williams’ attorney has told the city to proceed with a demolition, according to a city memo.
The other house is located at 1220 Tabernacle St. The city informed the owner, Helen Campbell, last November that the house was not meeting minimum housing standards.
A Dec. 1, 2008, hearing passed, and the city officially determined the house as unfit for human habitation. Enforcement officers gave Campbell until Jan. 12 to repair or remove the house.
Council will be asked to adopt ordinances directing the housing inspector to arrange for demolition of both structures.
Council meets at 4 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall, 217 S. Main St.
In other agenda items, council will:
– Hear an update on construction plans for the fiber-optic cable utility and its accompanying customer service center.
– Hear a report on transportation issues and programs at the Salisbury Community Park off Hurley School Road.
– Receive a request from the Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge to make Water Street and 300 W. Cemetery St. one-way in the southbound direction for the lodge’s annual Brunswick stew sale Feb. 26.
– Consider a variance of the city’s approved construction standards to allow the use of recycled concrete in the street construction for the Lone Hickory subdivision off Morlan Park Road. ABC stone is the standard.
– Receive a report on the possibility of extending bus service to Lash Drive.
– Hold a public hearing on the proposed Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) program.
– Consider a storm drainage incentive grant for 612 S. Jackson St.
– Consider accepting the private streets of the Hidden Creek subdivision as public streets.
– Hear presentations from the Planning Board, Greenway Committee and Human Relations Council on their highlights from the past year and goals for 2009-2010.
– Consider a budget amendment for $10,275, reflecting insurance proceeds for a wrecked police car.
Council meetings are streamed live at www.salisburync.gov/council/webcast. html.