Julie Brown, Special Writer
Three dangerous buildings will be demolished in Canton Township, within 60 days of the Nov. 17 unanimous vote of the Canton Board of Trustees.
The structures at 43415 Michigan Ave., as well as 880 Lotz Road and 890 Lotz Road, have been cited for structural deficiencies and involved in litigation.
Building Official Robert Creamer said that communication with the Michigan Avenue commercial property owner had been unsuccessful.
“You haven't talked to us and that's why you're here. We don't know what your plans are,” he told Abraham Nunu, the property owner, who participated in the Zoom meeting.
Township and state laws allow for billing of a property owner for not complying with the demolition order within 60 days. The township would demolish the buildings and then bill the property owner of record.
Nunu appeared remotely Nov. 17 with two engineers speaking on his behalf for the 43415 Michigan Ave. site. Nunu mentioned a brick facade “and maybe one or two stores.”
Jade Smith, Canton director of municipal services, noted hearings on that site started in the spring of 2018 and progressed through Michigan courts. Attorney John Harrington also spoke for Nunu on Nov. 17.
“We tried every option. We tried everything,” he said. The Michigan Avenue site has been empty some three years, and officials briefly noted zoning issues impacting potential use.
“Tearing down the entire structure is not necessary,” Harrington said, but after lengthy discussion, board members voted unanimously to demolish the structure.
Trustee Steven Sneideman asked if the Michigan Avenue site was secure, and added he's disappointed “that you didn't have a Plan B ready to go. In my personal opinion this building needs to go,” added Sneideman.
“My thoughts are 60 days” for demolition of 43415 Michigan Ave., which is on a major commercial thoroughfare in Canton Township noted Trustee Sommer Foster.
Owner of the two Lotz Road sites, Jeanne Wyatt, and her attorney, Dave Nykanen, also spoke that evening. She said she inherited the properties and also 870 Lotz Road which is now under court jurisdiction, as clarified by Kristin Kolb, township attorney.
Nykanen said Lotz Road paving created “significant change in the drainage” on the Lotz Road properties. Canton Township Supervisor Pat Williams asked about a nephew living on-site, as well as a recent incident with a car striking one of the properties.
Nykanen and Wyatt said finding contractors for work has been difficult, in part due to COVID-19, and Wyatt noted she's maintained and secured the properties, including mowing grass.
Trustees unanimously voted to demolish 880 Lotz and 890 Lotz under terms similar to the Michigan Avenue property.
Williams said he anticipates the judge “will rule in our favor” on the additional Lotz Road site owned by Wyatt.
