KNOX — A Knox property was one of three in Albany County that the county legislature’s Audit and Finance Committee has requested be conveyed to neighboring land owners at its Oct. 26 meeting. 

The 1.9-acre property at 1185 Knox Cave Road was foreclosed on after accumulating more than $18,000 in unpaid taxes going back to 2014, according to county records. Documents from the county clerk’s office suggest that the previous owner is now based in Florida. 

Likewise, the Rustic Barn, in Guilderland — the second of the three foreclosed properties being considered, and the only other one in the Enterprise coverage area — had accumulated more than $56,000 in unpaid taxes, with more than $93,000 due altogether, according to county records. 

Both are intended to be sold for a fraction of their assessed worth, under the condition that purchasers take responsibility for the various issues with the properties. 

The Knox Cave Road property is listed in Knox’s 2023 assessment role with a full market value of $132,308, with a land assessment of $10,800, per the county’s interactive tax map. The committee has requested that the legislature sell it to brothers Travis and Tristan O’Donnell, who live next door, for $5,000.

According to a letter submitted by Tristan O’Donnell to the county, the residence at 1185 Knox Cave Road had been partially dismantled as fuel for heating in the winter. 

“We also understand that the back part of the roof has collapsed, and that the chicken coop that is on the property, which had chickens at one time which have since disappeared, is currently in shambles, and infested with rats the size of small house pets that have made themselves present on our property due to the mismanagement of the previous owner,” he wrote.

O’Donnell also notes the presence of several vehicles sitting at the back of the property “that would need to be disposed of,” along with the remnants of a collapsed garage. 

“All of this, as well as collective garbage that can be seen just by walking along the back side of our property,” he wrote, adding that he and his brother will take full responsibility of the property.

The committee’s request to the legislature states that the brothers will be responsible for closing costs and “a pro-rated share of any current real property taxes which are owed on the property as of the closing date.” 

The legislature will meet next on Nov. 13.