UHRICHSVILLE ― The Ohio Board of Building Appeals has imposed a $10,000 fine on the owner of 109 E. Third St., Uhrichsville, for building and fire code violations. Derek D. Spring of Cadiz faces the possibility of civil penalties of $5,000 per month beginning Oct. 1 if the violations are not addressed.

Law Director JJ Ong told City Council members at their Thursday meeting about Tuesday's decision from the state board, which was made after a hearing held Tuesday in Ashland.

Spring had appealed citations from the Uhrichsville Fire Department for violations based on an April 5 inspection of the commercial building.

"That citation was issued to Mr. Spring after about five years of going back and forth with him over that," Ong said.

The citation noted these violations:

The Board of Building Appeals found that Spring had failed to correct seven of the eight violations. The citation regarding fire extinguishers was addressed.

Ong said the penalties "should serve as notice to other property owners that there are some pretty severe consequences on commercial buildings."

Councilman Matthew Fox commended the law director and the fire department.

"Hopefully, this is the start to cleaning up some of the properties in town," Fox said.

Spring said Friday that the building has been sold. Online records of the Tuscarawas County Auditor's Office list him as the owner.

In other business Thursday, council:

Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com. On Twitter: @nmolnarTR

Times-Reporter photojournalist Andrew Dolph contributed to this report.