By John Kiesewetter
Enquirer staff writer

LIBERTY TWP. - When John Zurawka moved into his new Lyndhurst subdivision home four years ago, he expected to have neighbors across the street.

"Obviously we figured there would be houses everywhere," Zurawka said.

But that's not going to be the case.

Neil Murphy Homes has abandoned three lots on Edgeworth Drive, and another down the street on Bromley Drive. The steep drop-offs make it impossible to construct homes, said builder Dan Murphy.

Murphy said his company has stopped paying taxes on the properties. Butler County records show that $2,564 is owed this year on the four parcels, which could be sold at a sheriff's auction next year after foreclosure.

"It's disappointing that it will take a year for it to be resolved (by auction), and then it may not be resolved, if nobody buys them," Zurawka said.

Jim Paoletti, who lives next to the vacant lots, filed a nuisance complaint Monday with the township, citing uncut weeds and concrete and other building materials dumped on the lot.

"We'd like to get it cleaned up somehow," Paoletti said.

Murphy said Tuesday he would inspect the abandoned lots.

"It's not necessarily that we're doing the dumping there. Other builders are back there," Murphy said. "I'd like to look at it before I make any promises."

Township Administrator Dina Minneci said a zoning inspector also will visit the site. Trustees have the power to declare the property a nuisance, order the township service department to cut the weeds, and add an assessment to the property taxes.

Murphy claimed Tuesday that the township will take over the vacant lots if nobody bought them at a sheriff's sale. But Roger Gates, assistant Butler County prosecutor, said the state, county or township could end up with the unwanted property.

"It would make the most sense to deed them over to the adjacent property owner," Gates said. "Or Murphy Homes would contact the township and be willing to donate it - and it would be up to the township whether to accept it or not."

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com