Imagine looking out the window of your home or business to an unsightly junkyard that continues to grow.

That's the issue people in one Columbiana County town have dealt with for years. With limited legal routes, people in West Township say this property is a burden to the entire community. 

McDole Towing & Buying Junk Auto, located along US-30, is used as a junkyard, and it has even expanded to neighboring properties in recent years.

There are ongoing encroachment complaints, plus the State of Ohio requires a fence around a registered junkyard, something the property has never had. The owner is believed to live on the property.

"The owner has encroached on my personal property for at least 7 years," explained Tiffany Tomer-Horton, Owner of The Mystical Hollow. "Now he is even taking over county property. It is not contained to just the property in which he has a junkyard license."

21 News first reported on these issues back in 2018. The Ohio EPA issued a notice of violation for unauthorized discharge to waters of the state, after issues with oil and automotive fluids contaminated shallow drinking wells.

Surrounding residents told 21 News they do not drink tap water from their faucets due to contamination concerns potentially caused by McDole's property.

"His property brings mosquitos and rats and Lord only knows what he's doing to the grounds. You can look out back and just see the junk, the cars, the motors, and the transmissions," explained Tomer-Horton. "He won't move his belongings off of my property because he doesn't care."

Tomer-Horton has poured her heart into her small business, located just next to the junkyard. She's worried the property will continue to worsen.

"The junkyard is only registered to the one house but he's using all three properties and additional neighbors properties to store this stuff," she explained. "It's not just concerning for the business but even the houses in the area. That brings down all of our property values. It makes our town look bad."

West Township does not have zoning. Commissioners are attempting to look into their options as they've heard complaints for years.

Commissioner Mike Halleck told 21 News on Friday they're pursuing remediation with the property owner. He added the county health department or Ohio EPA could step in to encourage the property owner to clean up the property.

21 News knocked on McDole Towing & Buying Junk Auto's door Friday night and did not get an answer.

The Columbiana County Commissioners plan to meet March 26 to further discuss their options.