Resident Philip Podesta seeks city conveyance of 135 South Park Avenue; committee backs sale of city fees with deed covenant
February 19, 2026 | Clarksburg, Harrison County, West Virginia
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Philip Podesta, a Meigs Avenue resident, asked the committee to support his purchase of the city‑owned parcel at 135 South Park Avenue so he could "get this section cleaned up" and create a green space for the block. "We're just here to, to act your blessing, to to purchase the property, the Cox property, and anything around it, to get this section cleaned up," Podesta told the committee during public comment (SEG 016–026).
City staff reported that the city's recorded costs on the Cox parcel are approximately $5,310 (not including separate demolition debt). Committee members said they would recommend conveying the parcel for the city's fees rather than asking the buyer to assume demolition charges, consistent with prior practice. Members also discussed adding deed covenants that would prohibit using the two‑stall garage/apartment as a rental unit and a requirement to combine nearby lots within a set timeline to prevent short‑term speculative rental use (SEG 271–283, SEG 298–306, SEG 368–376).
Staff and members addressed technical ownership questions raised by Podesta: Podesta said he had property surveyed by Horner Brothers and asserted a garage structure on the Cox parcel overhung his 211 Meigs lot; staff confirmed the garage/apartment was currently condemned and said they did not recall the original condemnation reason (SEG 097–105, SEG 238–249).
Committee members emphasized the neighborhood benefits of getting a local owner to maintain the property, returning it to the tax rolls and removing blighted structures. Members also discussed tax liabilities that may attach to the parcel and whether outstanding tax liens would be resolved as part of the transaction (SEG 420–456). The committee indicated support for moving forward with conveying the parcel for the city's recorded fees and for including deed restrictions, and staff agreed to prepare paperwork and follow up with Podesta on next steps and related parcels (SEG 571–574, SEG 588–591).
The committee also agreed to add Podesta's separate request about 209 Meigs Avenue to a future agenda for more focused consideration (SEG 575–583).
City staff reported that the city's recorded costs on the Cox parcel are approximately $5,310 (not including separate demolition debt). Committee members said they would recommend conveying the parcel for the city's fees rather than asking the buyer to assume demolition charges, consistent with prior practice. Members also discussed adding deed covenants that would prohibit using the two‑stall garage/apartment as a rental unit and a requirement to combine nearby lots within a set timeline to prevent short‑term speculative rental use (SEG 271–283, SEG 298–306, SEG 368–376).
Staff and members addressed technical ownership questions raised by Podesta: Podesta said he had property surveyed by Horner Brothers and asserted a garage structure on the Cox parcel overhung his 211 Meigs lot; staff confirmed the garage/apartment was currently condemned and said they did not recall the original condemnation reason (SEG 097–105, SEG 238–249).
Committee members emphasized the neighborhood benefits of getting a local owner to maintain the property, returning it to the tax rolls and removing blighted structures. Members also discussed tax liabilities that may attach to the parcel and whether outstanding tax liens would be resolved as part of the transaction (SEG 420–456). The committee indicated support for moving forward with conveying the parcel for the city's recorded fees and for including deed restrictions, and staff agreed to prepare paperwork and follow up with Podesta on next steps and related parcels (SEG 571–574, SEG 588–591).
The committee also agreed to add Podesta's separate request about 209 Meigs Avenue to a future agenda for more focused consideration (SEG 575–583).
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