HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville Code of Enforcement Board held a meeting on May 12, where they decided to demolish two homes in the city due to violations. One of the properties was being actively rented out by a landlord with previous code issues, and the other was a vacant home being illegally accessed with evidence of possible gunfire on the property.
The first property, presented by Code Enforcement Officer Mark DeArmond, is located on South Virgina Street which contains people actively renting and living in two apartment units. The property owner, Timothy VanDiver, owns a total of eight properties in Hopkinsville, owing over $92,000 on liens and taxes. He previously appeared in front of the board for a hearing in January regarding a separate rental property that was deemed to have “unsafe and unlivable” conditions.
After an inspection in April, the South Virgina Street code enforcement posted the residence as unsafe structure. DeArmond said they have received no contact from the property owner after several formal notices, and he did not arrive at the hearing. City Attorney Doug Willen said the board would be able to proceed with action without the property owner…