Owners of buildings destroyed in a fire fail to respond to code violation notices
The owners of the buildings destroyed by a fire on Columbia Pike in Annandale have failed to respond to the Fairfax County Department of Code Compliance, so the matter is being referred to the commonwealth’s attorney’s office.
The fire, on March 12, 2023, affected four businesses.
The DCC filed several notices charging the property owners with violating the codes on property maintenance. The owners, Kee C. Han and Ae Y Han, a couple living in Washington state, never responded, says Joan Maguire, an investigator with the DCC.
A complaint was submitted to the DCC several months ago that the pile of rubble remaining after the fire is an eyesore and potential safety risk.
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The DCC found the Hans violated the building codes on exterior structures, exterior walls, and roofs and drainage for the buildings at 7207, 7209, and 7211 Columbia Pike.
According to the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code, the exterior of a structure must be maintained in good repair and structurally sound. If that is not the case, the building must be repaired or replaced.
The Hans were advised that the violations must be corrected within 30 days or the owners will face civil penalties of $100 for the first offense and $350 for each subsequent offense for the three code violations. The total charge would be $1,050.
The owners were also charged with violating the county’s Zoning Ordinance on outdoor storage due to the piles of fire debris and other items on the property. The civil penalty for that violation is $200 for the first offense and $500 for each subsequent offense.
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The Hans did not respond to the notices and didn’t file an appeal of the code violations. In fact, the DCC has had no contact with them, Maguire said.
As a result, the case has been turned over to the county attorney’s office, which will give them 21 days to respond. The issue hasn’t been assigned to an attorney yet.
A total charge of $1050, for leaving a pile of rubble for months on end and not responding to DCC?
That law needs sharper teeth. This is the kind of thing where, if they continue to ignore the county, the county should be able to impose fines by the day.
Or maybe use their power of eminent domain? It would seem a good circumstance for that so this could be redeveloped.
Raze it!
LOL! If the County Division of Code Compliance cannot get hold of the owners, I think that is very telling on their priorities, capabilities and competence. Especially for commercial property that has a higher tax rate. The absentee landlords should figure out why they are not getting paid their rent. Presume they want that income. Follow the money. County can raise what is a hazard and then bill the owners or a lien; but there is a process that takes time.
I’m surprised the county let this go on so long. Clean it up and send the bill to the owners. If they don’t pay then eminent domain them.
Very fishy…
The fines should be much higher, especially for “out of town owners!!
Code compliance is so utterly useless in Fairfax County – Just look at the illegal boarding houses popping up in residential n’hood. These are so blatant and drag down value of every home on the street – but nothing ever happens. 2br house on Heming Ave is packed w illegals, cars in driveway and on street w out of state plates; cars on the grass; grass uncut; illegal additions to home; trash on street and sidewalk; police and code enforcement are completely useless