Village finally razes abandoned home

An unoccupied Deerfield house at 679 Castlewood Lane was finally razed Friday after years of legal battles. The building has been abandoned for more than 25 years.

The deteriorating split-level house containing severe structural damage is owned by the Lipo family of Highland Park. The Lipos did not contest the court proceedings according to Deerfield Assistant Code Enforcement Supervisor Jeffery Hanson.

Hanson said the Village and neighbors have been after the family for years to bring the neglected house up to code.

Hanson said down through the years the owners continued to pay their property taxes and had their lawn cut. However, the house remained unoccupied without maintenance and eventually began to deteriorate with peeling paint on the exterior and structural problems inside.

Hanson said in recent years wild animals were making the house its home with six possums and raccoons having been removed from the property by animal control personnel.

“Residents in the neighborhood finally reached the point where they simply had enough and complained to the Village about the eyesore,” Hanson said. “The poor appearance of the house was sullying the property values of its neighbors.”

The Village initiated lengthy legal proceedings and finally in mid-October obtained a court demolition order to tear the house down. The future of the property is uncertain. The Lipos retain ownership.

Village personnel indicate that there are also several other unoccupied homes that are being monitored for abandonment and possible demolition.