By Curt Peterson
Killington Town Planner Lisa Davis cited “four abandoned properties” the planning commission feels may have a negative effect on tourism if deterioration is allowed to continue.
According to Davis, there has been a change in Section 430 of town zoning regulations clarifying the definition of “
4988 U.S. Route 4 (formerly Hemingway’s)
.” This, she said, allows Killington to notify affected property owners of the change and of their responsibility regarding property maintenance.
Chuck Claffey, interim zoning administrator, emailed a list of the properties cited by Davis, to the Mountain Times. They include: 2025 U.S. Route 4 (formerly The Boutique), 4337 U.S. Route 4 (formerly the Kokopelli Inn), 4988 U.S. Route 4 (formerly Hemingway’s) and 8284 U.S. Route 4 (a “shack” near Hadley Hill Road).
“Letters were mailed out Monday [Aug. 2],” Claffey wrote, “signed by me, the Zoning Administrator.”
In Claffey’s letter, property owners were given 15 days to respond to notification of their zoning ordinance violations, providing a “plan for resolution.”
“Otherwise, a formal notice of violation will be sent via certified mail, and this will be referred to the Selectboard for enforcement action,” Claffey said.
Failure to respond in seven days to the certified notice triggers an automatic ongoing fine of $200 per day.
Residents may be familiar with these properties.
From west to east along Route 4, the first property (2025 Route 4) was formerly known as the Boutique at Killington and is a 5,324 square foot multi-story building with parking and an upstairs office on two acres across from the post office.
The next property to the east (4337 Route 4) was formerly the Kokopelli Inn. Decimated by a Tropical Storm Irene flashflood, the building has been vacant and encased in tarpaper since soon after it was bought at auction in 2012 by Daniel Biecka for $55,000. In 2010, the 15-room inn was appraised for $450,240, according to the town. In 1979, Killington’s Tom Rabeck bought the house and adjacent barn, minus the recent addition, on the two-acre piece of land for $60,000.
The next property is the once popular Hemingway’s restaurant at 4988 Route 4. It’s on 4.5 acres and, in addition to the restaurant/bar, includes an upstairs apartment. On the market for $150,000 in “as is” condition, the property recently sold for $115,000, according to Josiah Allen Real Estate.
The final derelict property down the road (8284 Route 4) is described on the XOME website as a “Campground, RV Park,” is a half-acre lot with a collapsing shack and an old camper. It is not currently listed for sale.
