08/14/2020

Unknown Parcel Owner?

Dawn Cragon, Ashtabula Co.

Have you ever had an “unknown” owner parcel and had to file a foreclosure to get it back on the productive tax rolls? In 2009, the Auditor’s office “found” a large river-front parcel in a good neighborhood and so kindly related the parcel and began assessing taxes (even going 5 years back) with no known owner and declared it “undocumented”. I met with the current homeowners in the area and they want the parcel for their new association. The locals told me the former homeowners association allegedly owned it forever ago and when the surrounding land started parceling off for development the parcel got lost in the mix and the homeowners association has long since dissolved. Additionally, a kayak company wants it for an expansion to their kayak launch business. When I sent it to the Prosecutor for foreclosure years ago, they attempted a title search and could not locate the parcel and have since decided they cannot file a foreclosure with an unknown owner! Any guidance on the foreclosure issue is appreciated, especially if it involves a case number. Thank you!

Dawn Cragon
Ashtabula County Treasurer
treasurer@ashtabulacounty.us