<p class="p1">NEW LLANO — Town residents voiced concern over a growing number of neglected properties in the area Tuesday during the town council meeting.</p><p class="p1">Francisco Sanchez said an abandoned home located next to his property on Clarence Street is damaging his home.</p><p class="p1">“The yard is not being mowed, no one has lived there for a couple years, and now a dead tree on their property has fallen onto my roof,” Sanchez said.</p><p class="p1">“I’ve tried to get in contact with the owner, but they have not done anything about it.”</p><p class="p1">Sanchez said the number of dilapidated homes in the area caused his own property value to drop last year and that the town should address the problem.</p><p class="p1">“If you look — because I do all the time — there are at least two houses in bad shape on every street in our little town,” Sanchez said.</p><p class="p1">“I understand it’s other people’s business if they want to take care of their property or not, but when it’s affecting my property and everyone else’s property, then it’s a problem.”</p><p class="p1">Newly seated Mayor Denis Jordan said the city has an ordinance on yard maintenance, but that he was cautious to seek further ordinances, which he said could result in government overreach.</p><p class="p1">“As long as we stay within the boundaries of what is acceptable, then we can start looking into that,” Jordan said.</p><p class="p1">Fire Chief Kevin Yates said the property has been cited over seven times since April, and town clerk Donna Condon said the town may begin to look at taking condemnation measures against the home.</p>neglected properties