Site of razed Vernon Hills animal hoarder house up for sale

The site of what was once an infamous animal hoarding house in a quiet Vernon Hills neighborhood is now up for sale to the highest bidder.

The frustrating situation that had plagued the community ended nearly three years ago with the demolition of what had been a nice house. Now the land it once occupied is on the market.

Crews even removed the foundation at 80 Brook Hill Lane in the Stone Fence Farms subdivision north of Route 45, eliminating any trace of an animal hoarding problem that had become so advanced that the village in 2012 was able to secure a court order to take down the house.

Building Commissioner Mike Atkinson described the condition at the house — including animal odors apparent to neighbors — as the “most extensive code violations I have ever seen” in his 27-year career.

As the wrecking crews went to work on the home, neighbors and village officials said they were relieved the saga was ending but thought it unfortunate the situation had come to that.

Last fall, the village filed a lien foreclosure action in hopes of recovering $64,339 in expenses. A Lake County circuit court judge subsequently ordered a sheriff's sale and the village acquired title. On Tuesday, the village board without comment authorized the sale of the property, which covers about a third of an acre.

The asking price is a minimum of $99,500, which was established by the village's costs to tear down the house, clean up the lot and legal fees. State law requires the village publish for three successive weeks, a notice of its intent to sell the property. Interested parties will be required to submit bids to Village Manager John Kalmar by noon March 13. Bids are scheduled to be opened March 17.

Assistant Village Manager Joe Carey said the village also will notify the Stone Fence Farms homeowners association, adjacent neighbors and local builders that the property will be for sale.

Atkinson said village inspectors occasionally have to follow up on hoarding situations, but nothing compared to what occurred at 80 Brook Hill.

The story began in 2004 before Atkinson's time, when Lake County animal control workers took four days to remove an estimated 130 cats and other animals from the house. It was declared uninhabitable but eventually was restored. Complaints resurfaced and the village filed suit in 2010.

Site: Bids must be submitted by March 13