Ten properties received a first designation of blighted at Tuesday’s City of Warren Blighted Property Review Committee meeting.

The property at 20 Conewango Avenue – owned by Carl Devlieger and the source of a pending Uniform Construction Code Board of Appeals hearing – generated the most discussion. And argument.

The building initially began crumbling in 2015.

Devlieger thanked the committee and said that in the “two years I have been dealing with the city on this property and this is the first time I’ve been invited to speak.”

He asked who made the recommendation that the property be deemed blighted as “they did not make any specific allegations.”

“I made the recommendation it be considered for blight,” Code Official Jessica Roudybush said. “It does meet the definition.”

She described several conditions that make the property blighted by statute, including the “lack of a permanent roof on the structure…. Anyone can see there is still a blue tarp covering the roof structure.”

“Our committee is to determine whether the property meets blight,” Denise Whipp, who chaired the meeting, said.

Devlieger questioned the credentials of the city staff making the determination and argued that the property “isn’t a nuisance to anyone but me.”

Roudybush pointed out it sits on the path between the YMCA and Beaty-Warren Middle School which could make it an attractive nuisance, but Devlieger argued that there have been no issues to this point.

“We have to look at what exists right now,” Whipp said.

“It’s not a problem,” Devlieger said. “I’ve met every criteria of the agreement with the city. Everything I was supposed to do to get done with it is done except what I can’t get done.”

He argued that the fact that his building permit has been revoked – the subject of the June UCC appeal – has limited his ability to work.

Whipp asked him if the property is fit for human habitation and Devlieger said that the property isn’t intended to be a house bur rather a warehouse for his motorcycles. He said that he thinks work can be completed this year.

Whipp said that she hopes to see the work completed and that passing a first declaration of blight “won’t prevent it from being able to be taken off the blighted declaration at some point. And I hope to see that in the future.”

“These declarations of blight are the first step in a slippery slope against our private property rights,” Devlieger said. “(I) see this as a means to open the door to this type of intrusion,” calling the process a “money-generating outlet for the city.”

The other properties that received a first designation of blight include:

¯ 237 Buchanan Street. Burdette Thomas told the committee he has been contracted by the owner, New Heights South LLC, to complete significant work at the property, including replacing the soffit and facia as well as repair the back porch. “Anyone who drives by there can see improvements to the front of the building,” he said. Code Official Ken Hinton asked Thomas how long it would take for the residence to be able to be occupied and he suggested it will take three months. Roudybush said several liens remain on the property for unpaid sewer and grass cutting charges.

¯ 1507 Pa. Ave. E., the former Unimart. Roudybush said that there are many owners and they are “out of state for the most part.” She said that she heard from one in Europe who is a partial owner who “did not know he was a partial owner.” She said that the man had invested with a financial firm and assumes that his ownership was part of that investment. She speculated that may be the case with other owners. She said that delinquent taxes on the property are over $27,000 but the building “doesn’t appear to be in too horrible of condition.” Whipp said that it “definitely meets the blighted criteria through a number of the requirements. It doesn’t look like there is any light at the end of the tunnel doing anything about it.”

¯ 110 Conewango Avenue. Roudybush said “weeds and vines have completely overgrown the front porch at this property,” that taxes are delinquent and that there is no water or sewer service connected. “This meets multiple criteria. It doesn’t look like anything going to be done,” Whipp said.

¯ 17 Conewango Ave. The site of an August 2016 structure fire, Roudybush said the “interior and exterior are severely damaged” and that the property is in “the same condition today as after the fire” with the exception of boarded windows and doors and no trespassing signs. Roudybush said the owner, Thomas Shorebird, was found guilty on a dangerous structure citation.

¯ 11 1/2 Linwood St. Hinton said that there are numerous holes in the wall, ceiling and roof. He said a prior order to demolish was issued in 2011 but he wasn’t sure why demolition didn’t occur. “It is an abandoned property at this point in time,” he said.

¯ 202 Pennsylvania Ave. E. Hinton said that the property, owned by Larry Wilhelm, has had no water or sewer service since 2012. “The exterior has not been maintained in quite some time,” he added, noting that the roof is starting to fall off.

¯ 511 1/2 East St. Hinton said two accessory structures are partially collapsed, the roof is in need of repair and that there have been no water or sewer service since 2010. The property owner told the committee that she doesn’t want any involvement with the property.

¯ 708 W. Fifth Ave. Hinton said that the property is still owned by Frank Geiger, who is serving a lengthy state prison sentence, and that he notified Geiger and two powers of attorney for his properties of Thursday’s meeting. While prospective new owners attended the meeting and outlined their intention to complete work on the property, Whipp noted that “technically, you’re not the current owner of the property” and that is “still meets the criteria of blight. (I) hope in the future we can take if off there.”

¯ 908 Fourth Ave. Hinton said the property is owned by Diane Greeley and has been uninhabitable since 2010. He said he spoke with Greeley on Wednesday and “she told me she had nothing to do with the property,” and moved out when she was informed of the property’s condition.