A neglected Woodridge Circle property faces thousands of dollars in fines, as nearly six months have passed since town officials notified its owner that he has run afoul of New Canaan’s blight ordinance.
The property at 4 Woodridge Circle has been found in violation of New Canaan’s blight ordinance. Credit: Michael Dinan
According to a July 1, 2015 “Notice of Violation” obtained by NewCanaanite.com, the 2.05-acre property and 1958-built Colonial at 4 Woodridge Circle meet at least two sections town’s definition of blight:
“Seriously damaged, missing or loose siding, gutters, leaders, shingles or roofing”; and
“Unkempt yards or overgrown lawn grass or weeds.”
Officials in the New Canaan Building Department say they’ve received no communication from the property’s owner, though the Notice of Violation was delivered by registered mail.
According to tax records, the property is owned by Stephen Perry.
The original notice states that Perry had 14 days “to abate all noted conditions of blight at which time I will issue a citation.”
“If you should fail to abate these conditions after being issued a citation, fines may be imposed in the amount of $100 per day that any conditions of blight remain,” the notice said.
Had fines started to accrue straightaway—and town officials in the past have made them retroactive—Perry as of now would incur more than $17,000 in fines.
New Canaan’s blight ordinance is outlined in Section 7A of the Town Code. Blight itself is defined as “Any condition or combination of conditions in public view upon any residential premises that tends to devalue real estate, or that is a negative influence upon the neighborhood or upon any neighbor’s use and enjoyment of his or her own property, due to, characterized by, or reflective of neglect, decay, deterioration, disrepair, rotting, overgrowth, infestation, dilapidation, or failure to maintain.”
Under Section 7A-3, it’s the job of property owners to maintain the exterior of structures and grounds, and tenants or occupants of residences must “refrain from creating or maintaining blight.”