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Vacant mansion wears out welcome in Munson
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - April 21, 2010)
Vacant mansion wears out welcome in Munson
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
A stately mansion believed to have served as a summer retreat for a wealthy Cleveland family is considered a possible deathtrap for kids who trespass there, Munson Township officials said.
Last week, Township Trustees authorized the first step in razing the house at 13417 Rockhaven Road. They authorized township Zoning Inspector Timothy Kearns to send a certified letter advising the building's owner of the intent to raze the building.
"We need to do something now before someone gets hurt," Mr. Kearns told trustees. "We have the right to do it."
Mr. Kearns cited Ohio Revised Code Section 505.86, which states in part, "A board of township trustees may provide for the removal, repair, or securance of buildings or other structures in the township that have been declared insecure, unsafe or structurally defective by any fire department under contract with the township or by the county building department or other authority."
Mr. Kearns said the house had gone through a series of owners, including one that operated a nursing home in the early 1980s. It was said to have been built by a wealthy Cleveland businessman on 9.99 acres, he said. He was attempting to work with the latest owner on repairs, but no improvements were being made, he said.
Geauga County Sheriff's Deputies Mike Matsik and Chris Weber, who attended the meeting, told trustees the building has become a regular hangout for kids, and a dangerous one. Mr. Weber said four kids were discovered in the home on April 2. Two of them were apprehended, while two others got away. He said more kids had been in the home over the last 11 days.
Mr. Matsik said it's a dangerous situation for the kids, because a back wall in the house is giving way. He said 90 percent of the windows on the first floor are broken or gone.
Mr. Kearns said he invited the sheriff's department, Munson Fire Chief Bernie Harchar and the Geauga County health and building departments, and all of them said the building is unsalvageable and should be razed. "It's not fit for human habitation," he said.
Mr. Harchar said it's a "definite life safety hazard." He said, if firefighters were called to the house and smoke was coming from it, he would be obligated to send them in to determine if anyone is inside. He said the dilapidated condition would put his firefighters in danger. He said two firefighters in Cleveland died in a similar abandoned house.
"It's not worth it. The house should be razed," Mr. Harchar said. "The faster it's removed, the better off we'll be."
Mr. Matsik said a "gang," which calls itself Precinct Ten, has been marking the home with gang symbols. He said police do not want youths to begin marking their territory, even if they believe they are just gang "wannabes."
He said he's concerned that, with graduation party season coming, inebriated kids may venture into the house. He said the floor boards are giving way, and, if they fall through, they would land in pipes, wire and glass.
He said the main structure of the house was so beyond repair that it would take more money than it's worth to repair it.
Trustees Irene McMullen and Todd Ray said they would like a face-to-face meeting with the owner to discuss the situation before moving ahead with demolition.
Mr. Kearns said the authorized letter allows for that, asking the owner to come and discuss the matter.
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