By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Butler County has filed for foreclosure on the Wyndtree Apartments, seeking $494,173 in delinquent taxes, water and sewage payments.

It's the second suit filed in less than a year against the 4-year-old complex near Ohio 747 and Smith Road. West Chester Township sued last February for failure to fulfill its zoning agreement.

In December, the Butler County prosecutor was asked to begin the foreclosure process against Wyndtree Housing Limited Partnership of Columbus, in which the county would recoup back taxes by ordering the 32-acre complex to be sold.

County commissioners became concerned this week when they learned that the apartment complex was so far behind in its water and sewage payments - even though tenants pay for the service as part of their rent. Commissioners said they wouldn't cut off water service to the 279 units, as they would normally do to delinquent residential customers.

"We're kind of in a bind," said Commissioner Charles Furmon.

Residents Judy and Mark Koenig, who moved into the complex in October, say they have made numerous complaints to the manager about unsanitary conditions, including finding used condoms on the playground, animal feces, bug problems and piles of trash around the Rumpke dumpsters.

When she complained to the acting manager this week, she was told "they have no supplies, no painters, no cleaners, nothing - because they didn't have any money to pay them," said the former Bridgetown resident.

The suit filed Friday says Wyndtree owes heating, electric, lumber, cleaning, building supplies and maintenance companies.

Gary Powell, the attorney who sued Wyndtree for the township, said he would ask Butler County Common Pleas Judge Patricia Oney to appoint a receiver to operate the complex at a Feb. 10 hearing. Oney also will hear the foreclosure case.

Columbus attorney Joseph Recchie, identified by Powell as the complex owner, could not be reached for comment. Township officials say they have received many complaints about the complex, which has a tax-credit program for low-income residents.

Judy Koenig said she was stunned at discovering the poor conditions after moving here. Her rent is $825 per month, "basically a house payment," she said.

"It looked so nice," said Koenig, the mother of two small children. But, "I don't want to live in Beckett Ridge again. We'll be out of here by the end of the month."

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com