Compelling a property owner’s appearance

The next step in how Seneca deals with a vacated house within the city’s design review district apparently will be a subpoena that compels the property owner’s appearance before the Board of Architectural Review. At its meeting last night, the board agreed to seek the subpoena to require the appearance of Brenda Knox, owner at 305 S. Oak Street. The address is the old home place of Knox’s late father, Dr. S-C Sharpe, Seneca’s first African-American physician. At issue today is the condition of the structure. Last night Tamy Sanford, city planner, gave the board quotes from two contractors who have assessed the costs of either demolishing or repairing the house. Sanford also included a copy of the building inspector’s letter to Knox. The board intends to revisit the matter at its July 28 meeting.