Keokuk, IA – The Fort Madison Area Chamber of Commerce wants two properties near the city's entrances cleaned up.
Lee County may not be able to help, even though the properties are in the county.
County Attorney Mike Short says a vacant motel on the city's northeast side is not a nuisance just because of appearance.
He says there must be a safety or health risk present.
Short will ask the county's health department for a brief, exterior inspection to look for potential hazards.
He says that is really the only option available for the county because no zoning laws are on the book.
Short says it would be even tougher for the county to clean up a junk-yard on the southwest side of Fort Madison because businesses have even more protections.
He says Fort Madison should annex in that property and take care of it through its zoning codes.
You can hear more with Lee County Attorney Mike Short by clicking the audio link above.
Additional Information
* The Chamber's Beautification Image Program has led to 12 homes being either restored or torn down.
* Supervisor Rick Larkin says he sent a letter to the owner of the old motel, while he was Board Chairman, discussing the demolition of the property.