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Property on Louisiana Avenue to be cleaned up by city 

SALUDA—The City of Saluda is taking steps to clean up a nuisance property on Louisiana Avenue. 

The Saluda Board of Commissioners met last week and approved a resolution to move forward with cleaning up the property after taking several steps to get the property owner to do so. 

Commissioners heard from city manager Steve Orr, who said the property violates the city’s ordinance on every account. The city held an administrative hearing on July 13 and the property owner, John Pace, did not attend. The city has since sent another letter stating that the hearing was held and the city found the property was still in violation and nothing had been done. Saluda gave Pace until Oct. 18 to clean up the property, but Orr said nothing has been done so he sent another letter. 

Orr said the city will try to collect reimbursement for the costs that occur. He has received estimates that it will cost between $6,000 and $8,000 to clean up the property. The issues include overgrowth, abandoned vehicles and junk, according to Orr. 

Orr said the neighbors are upset and he strongly recommended commissioners approve the resolution to move forward. 

“I strongly recommend you pass this resolution and we send a message that this type thing not be allowed,” Orr said. 

He said the city has posted notices on the property and the property owner has torn them down. 

“It’s a mess,” Orr told commissioners. “It looks horrible. There’s no water, there’s no sewer.” 

Commissioners approved the resolution unanimously. The property violates the city’s non-residential building and abandoned structure ordinance.