Lynn council approves handover of problem property 29 Parrott St.

LYNN – A boarded-up Parrott Street house labeled an eyesore by neighbors could be demolished in 45 days with the land slated for a new home, a housing official told City Council members Tuesday.”We will move on it immediately,” Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development residential development assistant director Peggy Phelps told councilors.Councilors William Trahant Jr., Darren Cyr and Richard Colucci voted to hand over 29 Parrott St. to the housing authority as former owner John Lembidakis looked on from a City Hall committee room’s spectator seat.Lembidakis in an interview prior to the council hearing said he would like to “make a plan with the neighborhood” to fix up the green-shingled slant roof home at 29 Parrott. He said he “showed good faith” in maintaining the property following January and February meetings on its condition with neighbors and councilors.”I feel we’ve met all the conditions they have asked,” he said.But Trahant said Parrott Street neighbors have “no confidence” in Lembidakis’ and Christopher Graham’s ability to maintain 29 Parrott.”This has been a problem for several years,” Trahant said.Lembidakis of Saugus and Christopher Graham of Chelmsford bought 29 Parrott for more than $200,000 in 2007 and subsequently lost the property to the city for non payment of property taxes. After unsuccessfully attempting to reacquire the property earlier this year, they battled city lawyers in Land Court this summer and lost another bid to reclaim 29 Parrott.”Instead of fixing up the property, the took the city to court,” Cyr said.