9/18/13 - A local property owner has until December 15th to begin work on either rehabilitating or demolishing a house that Hartland Township officials have determined to be unsafe. The Read Road home was left empty when its owner moved to Alabama during the recession in search of work. It has since become blighted, and despite efforts by the ownerâs family, township officials have declared it to be a dangerous building. Last night, the owner of the property spoke with the township board through an Internet connection during the boardâs dangerous building hearing. He said the house was secure and that he planned to return in about ten years to repair and retire in the building. However, the board decided to go along with the determination of the building inspector that it was dangerous. It gave the owner until December 15th to pull permits to either demolish or restore the building, and choosing either course would give the owner twelve months to actually demolish the building or obtain a certificate of occupancy. Both the owner and the township have been working to contact the mortgage holder during the proceedings, and the township expects to start a dialogue within a week. The property owner said during the hearing that he would be willing to consider demolishing the home if the mortgage holder says it would be acceptable to do so and maintain the mortgage note on the property. Wickman says it is also important to keep the mortgage holder informed of the proceedings that could affect it. (TD)
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