Clarkesville planners are pushing to do something about the old Ingles grocery store on the south side of town. The building has been vacant for decades and is in serious violation of building codes.
The Clarkesville Planning Commission wants to condemn the building so it can be either cleaned up or torn down. The city council will take up the commission’s recommendation during the council’s next meeting on Monday.
Multiple code violations
In a letter dated October 30, 2023, Clarkesville Zoning Administrator Caleb Gaines outlined 18 building code violations at the property on West Louise Street that Ingles Real Estate needs to address. Those violations include sanitation issues, structural member issues, roofs and drainage, and pest infestation.
“The above-mentioned property needs immediate attention,” the letter states.
Gaines sent the building code violation letter to Ingles by certified mail on October 30, 2023, and it was delivered on November 2, 2023.
The letter requested contact from the property owner within thirty days. Gaines says Ingles has not attempted to contact him or the Clarkesville Planning Department.
“Multiple attempts have been made to work with Ingles Real Estate in regards to finding some sort of solution to clean up and secure the building or completely demolish it and return the space to green space,” he says.
The planning commission voted unanimously to pursue condemnation. To begin the process, they now need the mayor and city council’s approval.
‘Force them to give us a plan’
Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson says the city is hoping to force Ingles to “give us a plan of what they are going to do with the property and an acceptable timeline.”
He adds, “If we have to clean up the property, we will, and we would put a lien on the property to recoup the cost.”
According to Dickerson, the city has not requested any quotes for clean-up.
The Clarkesville City Council meets on Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. for a work session and at 6 p.m. for its regular meeting. Both meetings will take place at Clarkesville City Hall at 123 North Laurel Drive. The meetings are open to the public.
