Dorothy Harrison and Larry Priddy have spent almost four decades living along the same street in Hulbert Heights, an unincorporated neighborhood outside of Nitro. They say their neighborhood was safe and quiet, with few issues popping up. Priddy said he's watched as neighbors, including Harrison, improved their homes over the years.
"The neighborhood isn't the best, but we've scratched and dug for everything we got up here on this hill," Priddy said.
One thing has remained the same - an area of marshland that separates the circular drive has remained undeveloped. Harrison said she used to watch children run into the swampy area to play.
Now the area may be developed. The land's current owner, James Gilpen, told some neighbors it would be townhomes. He told others it would be mobile homes or trailers.
Gilpen owns multiple trailer parks in Kanawha and Putnam counties.
A trailer sits on the edge of the property with stains on its sides. Harrison and Priddy are concerned more will come, bringing property values down in the area.
Gilpen told the Gazette-Mail he wasn't sure what his plans would be, but he pointed to other mobile homes in the neighborhood.
"There, there, there what do you see?" Gilpen said. "What would you do?"
He said the trailer would be improved on, meeting high standards. In front of Gazette-Mail staff members, Gilpen told Harrison that he was considering turning them into Section 8 Housing.
Melissa Sargent, senior planner for Putnam County, said Gilpen has one permit for the area to place a manufactured home on the property. He hasn't applied for any further construction.
For months, neighbors have questioned the status of the property. They've gone to the Putnam County Commission to express their concerns. Early last month, commissioner Andy Skidmore and County Manager Brian Donat visited the property. They told residents that there are no actions they can take to stop development of the property.
"We just need the county commission to actually do something. Not be with us one day, and a couple of days later not," Harrison said.
Monday evening, Harrison and other neighbors met with Nitro mayor Dave Casebolt and multiple city officials about the possibility of annexing into the city. During the standing-room-only meeting, Casebolt told neighbors that if they voted to annex into the town, any development must follow city enforcement standards.
"We're going to require people to keep their property in decent shape," Casebolt said at the meeting. "Some people like that, and some people don't."
Annexation would also come with costs, Casebolt said. Hulbert Heights residents would have to pay city fees, and would see a property tax increase.
Harrison said annexing isn't an ideal solution but a good way to protect the neighborhood's property values and prevent crime in the area.
Gilpen, who also attended the meeting, said he doesn't have an opinion on the annexation.
"It doesn't matter to me. I'd benefit from being in the city," Gilpen said.
Casbolt said if enough residents are interested in annexing, the process could take multiple months.
Reach Ali Schmitz at 304-348-4843, ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.