The Monroe County commissioners approved a series of grants to Chestnuthill Township totaling $42,217 for the demolition of eight dilapidated properties.

The grants come from the Act 152 Demolition Fund through the Redevelopment Authority of Monroe County.

The properties listed for demolition have been acquired by Chestnuthill Township. The amount of the grant and the property locations are:

• 1 Appletree Lane - $5,000;

• 7 Apple Lane - $10,417;

• 27 Burrwood Drive - $7,800;

• 1915 Upper Valley Road - $2,500;

• Appletree Lane - $3,500;

• Bluegrass Lane - $3,500;

• Ranger Road - $2,500, and;

• 133 Storm Ave. - $7,000.

Monroe County Commissioner John Christy asked if this list is longer than they have had in the past.

Marvin Walton, the Monroe County Land Bank administrator, said that in 2022, the guidelines were changed to allow for more than one application per applicant per year.

Seven of the properties are in the Sun Valley Development, Walton said, which has had problems. Chestnuthill Township reached out to the Redevelopment Authority and asked if they could partner with them in the clean up of blighted areas in that location.

“To me, I think this is a perfect example of how the program should work, a partnership with the municipalities and the authority,” Walton said.

Christy asked if these properties will be sold and redeveloped.

Walton said most of the properties are too small or didn’t perc. Once the structures are removed, the owners of the adjacent properties will be given the opportunity to purchase the land and combine it with their current properties.

Monroe County Commissioner John Moyer said, “So what their doing is picking properties that they have the blessing of the neighbor.

“Their targeting certain areas in that area where ‘if I take this down the neighbor will take it’. Very good.”