Roanoke Rapids City Council Tuesday deemed a house in the 1400 block of Forest Street unfit for human habitation after the city received numerous complaints about the dwelling.

In a memo to the council, City Attorney Geoffrey Davis noted that staff have made numerous attempts to address the complaints and that the dwelling located at 1407 Forest Street has been out of compliance for years.

The council unanimously adopted an ordinance that directs the code enforcement officer to order the house to be unfit.

Davis told the panel that the city has discovered the property has not had water or electricity for a while. “It seems there are corroborating circumstances based on what the other residents have observed down there about folks using the restroom outside. There’s some other issues at the property that aren’t addressed in this.”

Davis said the ordinance was the legal avenue the city could use to address the issue as quickly as possible. “There are some other legal avenues available to us for those other issues but those are much more delayed or those are remedies that are more along the civil route.”

He said upon approval of the ordinance the code enforcement officer is authorized to order the dwelling vacated effective 12 p.m. Thursday.

Documents provided by the city’s planning and development department show that as far back as September 11, 2018, the city received complaints about junked vehicles in the yard and that one was towed on September 18 and the others were removed by the owners.

In October of 2020 a minimum housing investigation revealed the house was occupied without water or electricity. The owner did restore electric service but water service was not turned back on.

In September of 2022 additional complaints were lodged to the city about the behavior of the resident, including using the bathroom outside. During this time the power was on but there was no running water.

In January of 2023 former Planning Director David Wise visited with the owner about a fire, which the owner said started with a burn in the backyard and spread through pine straw to a pile of tires against the house.

At that time the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District informed the city that the water service has not been on since October of 2019.

In its finding of facts the city noted that due to the estimated cost of $2,300 required to bring the dwelling into compliance it was determined to be in a deteriorating condition and the owner was required to bring the electrical wiring and outlets up to code, pass an electrical inspection, restore power and water service, and secure the dwelling by replacing broken windows.

By March of 2023 the deadline for fixing the house passed with no corrective measures taken.

Ruthie Hasty, who lives near the residence, told the council during a public comment section of the meeting the property was originally taken care of but for about 15 years there was no power or water at the house. “There’s a lot of activity there and a lot of people who live there. There’s a lot of foot traffic, cars and trucks, bicycles and skateboards and people can hang out there.”

Hasty said, “To me it's a safety issue for the neighbors. It’s a public health issue.”

She says there is a bus stop at the corner that her granddaughter walks to get home. “I don’t think any of you all would want that in your neighborhood and I don’t think you would want your children or grandchildren to see that.”

There is also a house adjoining the property that’s been empty for about two years, she said, and visitors camp at the backdoor of the empty lot. “People are just laying on the ground on piles of clothes — hanging out sleeping.”

Mayor Emery Doughtie said, “I sympathize with you. Nobody should have to deal with that.”

After the action was taken by the council, Hasty said, “I do feel like it was a start because something should have been done years ago.”