Unsafe Building Commission affirms emergency vacate at 2011 Boston Pike after creek-blocking shed removed

The Richmond City Unsafe Building Commission on April 21 approved an emergency vacate and removal at 2011 Boston Pike (also cited as 2011 State Road 227) after staff reported a collapsed shed was obstructing a creek and presenting a flood risk.

Sherry Richie, a staff member presenting the case, said, "I received a violation notice about a shed that was blocking a creek on Boston Pike," and that neighbors had raised concerns the obstruction "would flood over into their yards." Richie showed before-and-after photos and said sanitation had "removed the dilapidated collapsed shed from the creek," after which "the water is now flowing through the creek."

The request to affirm emergency actions was prompted by the immediate public-safety risk posed by the structure in the creek. Richie told the commission the law department issued a notice to the homeowner, identified in records as Casey Wysong, and that sanitation responded to address the hazard. She said the owner does not live at the property, the structure is vacant and she has sent letters and two fines; she added she expects the house may revert to the bank and that she has no other viable address for the owner.

Commissioners questioned whether the cleanup was complete and who would bear the cost. Richie confirmed the shed had been removed and said that, because the removal occurred as an emergency action, the city would need to hold a cost hearing to determine billing or cost recovery and that additional cleanup steps would be pursued as needed.

Commissioner Bill Henry moved to "affirm the emergency actions taken by the enforcement authority for the property located at 2011 Boston Pike, also known as 2011 State Road 227," and a second was recorded (the seconder was not named on the record). The commission then voted in favor; the motion carried.

The commission recorded no dissenting votes and adjourned with no further business. The record notes a cost hearing is required to address billing or reimbursement to sanitation for the emergency removal.