Spring Valley property owner ordered to vacate illegally converted apartments
“We thank the court for doing that. Taking people out of harm’s way and having the respondent put them up in code-compliant housing,” said Ed Markunas of Rockland’s Office of Buildings and Codes.
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State Supreme Court Judge Larry Schwartz on Friday granted Rockland County’s request to vacate the converted garage and basement apartments at 18 White St. in Spring Valley. The property owner, Joel Friedman, must also find a place for those people to live and cover any costs to do so.
“We thank the court for doing that. Taking people out of harm’s way and having the respondent put them up in code-compliant housing,” said Ed Markunas, of Rockland’s Office of Buildings and Codes.
County inspectors found 51 alleged violations at the property last month. Markunas said after court on Friday that the department will continue to inspect the home to make sure it is brought into compliance.
“We are hoping the respondents will remediate the violations and bring the place into compliance so that safety is maintained,” Assistant County Attorney Larraine Feiden said.
Friedman was not in court, and his attorney, Dwight Joyce, declined to comment after the proceeding. The next court proceeding is expected later this month.
News 12's Diane Caruso several changes at the property compared to last week. The windows of the converted garage were no longer boarded up, and the Rockland County Health Department posted a new notice at the apartments entrance stating it is not fit for living.
As News 12 previously reported, the county’s inspection was triggered after Spring Valley police responded to the home last month for an unresponsive 6-month-old baby who later died at the hospital. Police say their investigation into the baby’s death is ongoing, including whether an illegal daycare was running there.
At this time, county officials do not believe the condition of the home was a factor in the child’s death.
News 12 attempted to reach Friedman for comment but was unsuccessful.
