San Mateo County orders property owner to remove two big sheds in his front yard

The clock is ticking for Harvey Blight to remove two large sheds in front of his home near Menlo Park that officials say give the property a blighted look.

San Mateo County Deputy County Counsel Eugene Whitlock filed an abatement warrant Friday ordering Blight to get rid of the sheds he never received permission to build, in 30 days.

If he doesn't, the county would find someone to do the work and charge Blight for it, Whitlock said Monday, estimating that the cost could run up to $10,000.

Blight couldn't be reached for comment, but he left a voicemail message Tuesday night calling the county's move a "misuse of judicial power."

He also went on to say: "The people without money who suffer the most are people who don't cater to the situation or political circumstances that exist today. When you challenge them and challenge their employment because of their conduct, they'll do anything in their power to retaliate. Not different from Nazi Germany, as far as I'm concerned."

Workers recently were sent to inspect the ramshackle structures but didn't get a close look, Whitlock said. "Harvey kind of chased them off."

According to the abatement warrant, the county first approached Blight in 2005 following complaints that his front yard contained overgrown vegetation, inoperable vehicles and large sheds.

With Blight "kicking and screaming," county officials prodded him to cut the vegetation and remove the vehicles, which included a dilapidated ice cream truck. But Blight drew the line with the two sheds, which Whitlock said he presumed were filled with junk.

The county had enlisted the help of nonprofit Rebuilding Together Peninsula to help Blight clean up and repair the inside of his home.

"Over time, we've been working with Harvey to get those things cleaned up," Whitlock said. "The sheds are still an issue. He wasn't responding to the letters. He was yelling at people."

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San Mateo County orders property owner to remove two big sheds in his front yard