The Warren County Redevelopment Authority has decided to take conservatorship action against two properties in Sheffield Township.

The properties in question are located at 114/116 W. Main St. and 4582 Route 6≥

The conservatorship process – which requires judicial approval – essentially provides a way for the RDA to bring about needed repairs without taking title to the property.

At the W. Main St. property, Authority member Jamie Steffan said that he talked to a neighbor about the property and also took a look at it. He noted some broken windows.

Steffan said the property has been vacant since 2015 and added that the plumbing and electrical were stripped when the property was vacated.

“(It) almost looks like the landlord or owner isn’t doing anything about the property,” he said.

Authority member Pam Matve said that the property is set to go to judicial sale in September and County Planner Dan Glotz said that all certified correspondence has not been signed for.

“We’ve kind of sat back hoping that somebody else would but the property at tax sale and correct (the) blight,” Steffan said. “That has not happened.”

At the Route 6 property, a change in owner from Harbour Portfolio VIII LP to Ingersoll Financial 44 Land Trust, resulted in the RDA reaching out to the new owner in late May into June, affording them a 30 day time frame to make improvements.

Sheffield Township Supervisor Mary Anne Paris said that nothing new has been done at the site.

Authority member Chuck Barone made a motion to start the conservatorship process “so we get something done on this property.”

Matve expressed concern about whether the RDA would have the funds to demolish the structures if the conservatorship petitions are approved.

Stapleford said that part of the petition could include asking the RDA to take title to the property or sell it.

“That could be an end goal,” she said.