CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The city of Clearlake reported that it has abated two nuisance properties.

On March 31 the city completed the abatement of the two properties, located at 14718 Emory Ave. and 14709 Palmer Ave.

City officials said the two properties had become egregious public nuisances and health and safety hazards to the surrounding community.

Over the past two years, the Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Fire Protection District and City of Clearlake Code Enforcement had responded to these locations several times for violations ranging from trespassers and illegal occupants to fires being started inside the structures.

Although declared unsafe for entry and occupancy, trespassers ignored these postings and continued to enter the property, officials said.

Abandoned for many years, these two properties had been unkempt by their property owners. Many attempts had been made by Code Enforcement to contact the legal owners in an effort to reach voluntary compliance.

Once it was determined there was a lack of voluntary compliance, staff made the determination that these two properties were two of the highest priority and would be a focus once funding became available for abatements.

In mid-2015, thanks to the hard work and determination of city of Clearlake Grants Technician Adeline Brown, the city was awarded funding through a Community Development Block Grant for the abatement of properties.

Upon receiving the go-ahead, Clearlake Code Enforcement Supervisor Lee Lambert and Brown worked hand-in-hand to move forward on these two projects and, on March 17, abatement warrants were issued for both properties by a Lake County Superior Court judge.

“These two demolitions are the first two visible examples of the city taking steps to eliminate blight where the property owners have not carried through with their responsibilities to the community,” said Mayor Russ Perdock.

Officials said the abatement costs for these two properties were far less than anticipated and, upon approval by the Department of Housing and Community Development, the city of Clearlake plans to move forward on several more abatements within the city.

Staff has comprised a list of properties in which the violations are so extensive that abatement is required. Many of these properties are fire damaged properties, burnouts or abandoned properties which have become places where illegal dumping occurs.

“While the grant funding will not pay for the abatement of all the properties needing to be abated, it will make a significant impact on the health of our community,” said City Manager Greg Folsom.

Officials said the city of Clearlake will continue to venture for funding for future abatements. In some cases, there may be no other option than abating a property, but the Code Enforcement Division will continue to make every attempt to reach full voluntary compliance.

Working alongside property owners is much more rewarding for both parties. For the property owner, it can create a bond with the city, knowing they are here to assist in bettering our communities.

From the city’s perspective, voluntary compliance has much less of an impact on the city’s budget and shows encouraging signs that the community wants to move forward in becoming a more desirable and respectable place to live and visit.